Comparison between the image qualities obtained with low energy high-resolution (LEHR) and LEGP collimators in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) under implementation of different filters

Abstract

The aim of a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) filter is to use the sharpest filter/smooth combination consistent with getting quality images. Fourier filtering technique has been shown to greatly improve image quality in both the spatial and temporal domain. An optimal filter manipulates the image in such a way that the image quality is enhanced without losing the basic components of the input object. Many filters have been developed to recover resolution and suppress noise. Thus, the question of theoptimal filter selection has been the subject of this investigation. The selection of proper collimator in many application of SPBCT will contribute to optimal image quality and quantitative information within the characteristics of the imaging equipment. In this study, we compared the results obtained by utilization of low energy high-resolution (LEHR) and low energy general-purpose (LEGP) collimators, under implementation of various filters, to show effect of hardware and software filters on the image quality, and capability of mathematical tools to compensate for the hardware flaw. Key words: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), filter, low energy high-resolution (LEHR) collimator, low energy general-purpose (LEGP).