Overview
SPECT acquires multiple projections around the patient to reconstruct three dimensional functional images. It is used for cardiac bone and brain studies among others. SPECT provides tomographic functional assessment complementary to PET.
Acquisition Protocols
Protocols include rotation speed projection count and energy window settings. Gating and motion correction improve cardiac and respiratory studies. Optimization balances image quality and scan time.
Reconstruction Algorithms
Iterative reconstruction and resolution recovery enhance image quality and quantification. Attenuation and scatter correction improve accuracy. Vendor specific algorithms require validation for clinical use.
Clinical Applications
SPECT is widely used for myocardial perfusion bone scans and infection imaging. Hybrid SPECT CT adds anatomic detail for localization. Quantitative SPECT is expanding with improved reconstruction methods.