Fused SPECT/CT Improves Diagnostic Accuracy

A study has found that fused imaging of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) improves diagnostic accuracy 66% over SPECT alone. The results were presented at the annual meeting of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine in Vienna, Austria.

The study involved 94 patients being evaluated for malignant neuroendocrine tumors. Study results were first interpreted without the anatomical information from CT and then the CT images were fused with the SPECT images. This resulted in better interpretation, differentiation of physiologic from pathologic uptake, and identification of unexpected and previously unknown tumor sites. For 30% of patients, the additional information led to a change in patient management. The imaging system used in the study was the Hawkeye, from GE Medical Systems (Milwaukee, WI, USA), which offers nuclear procedures (PET and SPECT) and CT in one system. Acquired during a single scan, both SPECt and CT images are fused into a single image.

"Hybrid imaging is allowing us to visualize disease with more detail and precision than ever before, which can have a considerable impact on the quality of care we provide to our patients. In addition to improving patient care, by diagnosing more accurately we can make the treatments more timely and cost-effective,” said Prof. Dr. Kurtaran of the University Hospital of Vienna (Austria), author of the study.




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University Hospital of Vienna