Abstract
BackgroundIn oncology, lesion characterization is essential for tumor grading, treatment planning, and follow‐up of cancer patients. Hybrid imaging systems, such as Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)/CT, Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/CT, or PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), play an essential role for the noninvasive quantification of tumor characteristics. However, most of the existing approaches are challenged by intra‐ and intertumor heterogeneity. Novel quantitative imaging parameters that can be derived from textural feature analysis (as part of radiomics) are promising complements for improved characterization of tumor heterogeneity, thus, supporting clinically relevant implementations of personalized medicine concepts. Nevertheless, establishing new quantitative parameters for tumor characterization requires the use of standardized imaging objects to test the reliability of results prior to their implementation in patient studies.MethodsIn this review, we summarize existing reports on heterogeneous phantoms with a focus on simulating tumor heterogeneity. We discuss the techniques, materials, advantages, and limitations of the existing phantoms for PET, CT, and MR imaging modalities.ConclusionsFinally, we outline the future directions and requirements for the design of cross modality imaging phantoms.
Highlights
In medical imaging, physical phantoms refer to real objects designed to simulate the human body, or parts of it, for specific clinical conditions
Four principal tomographic imaging modalities are used in clinical routine for the diagnosis and characterization of malignancies: single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Specific phantoms exist for hybrid imaging systems such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/CT and PET/MRI, catering to the special needs of each imaging component.[3]
Summary
Physical phantoms refer to real objects designed to simulate the human body, or parts of it, for specific clinical conditions. Four principal tomographic imaging modalities are used in clinical routine for the diagnosis and characterization of malignancies: single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) For each of these modalities, numerous phantoms have been developed and employed across imaging sites to evaluate performance. Previous studies for different imaging systems have reported on phantoms that recapitulate the heterogeneous anatomical regions of human physiology.[18,19,20,21,22,23] most of the existing phantoms for SPECT, PET, CT, and MRI are not suitable for multimodality imaging They are limited in their abilities to repeat and reproduce the heterogeneous nature of the tumor. Physical requirements for SPECT imaging phantoms are very similar to those for PET, and the section on PET phantoms can be used as a guidance to design relevant SPECT phantoms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
