INVESTIGATION OF CENTERING PROBLEM IN THE CADMIUM ZINC TELLURIDE (CZT) CARDIAC CAMERA

Abstract

Introduction: Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) Cardiac Cameras are a special SPECT cameras with solid state cadmium zinc telluride detectors. This diagnostic method applied in the evaluation of coronary artery disease is well designed for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Aim: CZT cardiac cameras have limited detector area. In patients who are morbidly obese or whose heart is not in its normal location in the body, the center of the heart and the isocenter of the device do not coincide. It is aim to investigate how these conditions affect the imaging performance of the CZT cardiac camera. Methods: A homogeneous and spherical ball with a diameter of 4 cm was used for the research. To be able to measure away from the center a wooden phantom with 8 cavities and a total length of 32 cm was designed. The center as reference point has been determined by matching the center of the device with the center of the sphere. For the next imaging, the image were taken by placing the spherical ball in the other cavities, respectively, without changing the center. Results: According to the results obtained, farther from the center, deviations from sphericity and differences in dose distribution were observed. Counts decreased by 1.5% in the 2nd position and 16% in the 3rd position relative to the center in the X-axis. A disaster area has been formed and the image area has been exited from the 4th imaging. Conclusion: It is very important to center the patient as much as possible, otherwise the doctor will misdiagnose.