An Investigation of Iterative Reconstruction Strategies for Lung Detection in SPECT

ROC and localization ROC (LROC) studies assessed whether modeling of the acquisition physics during the reconstruction process could improve detection of SLN in SPECT images. The radiotracer used was Tc-99m-labeled Neotect, and studies were run both with hybrid images and with phantom images. Iterative reconstruction strategies were defined with various combinations of attenuation correction (AC), scatter correction (SC), and resolution correction (RC). Results from both human and model observers indicate that AC degrades lunglesion detection relative to applying RC alone. Subsequent studies with the model observer suggest that the relative effectiveness of the different iterative strategies will depend on observer knowledge of the mean normal background.