SU‐E‐I‐23: Design and Clinical Application of External Marking Body in Multi‐ Mode Medical Images Registration and Fusion

Abstract

Purpose:To design an external marking body (EMB) that could be visible on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), positron emission tomography (PET) and single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images and to investigate the use of the EMB for multiple medical images registration and fusion in the clinic.Methods:We generated a solution containing paramagnetic metal ions and iodide ions (CT' MR dual‐visible solution) that could be viewed on CT and MR images and multi‐mode image visible solution (MIVS) that could be obtained by mixing radioactive nuclear material. A globular plastic theca (diameter: 3–6 mm) that mothball the MIVS and the EMB was brought by filling MIVS. The EMBs were fixed on the patient surface and CT, MR, PET and SPECT scans were obtained. The feasibility of clinical application and the display and registration error of EMB among different image modalities were investigated.Results:The dual‐visible solution was highly dense on CT images (HU>700). A high signal was also found in all MR scanning (T1, T2, STIR and FLAIR) images, and the signal was higher than subcutaneous fat. EMB with radioactive nuclear material caused a radionuclide concentration area on PET and SPECT images, and the signal of EMB was similar to or higher than tumor signals. The theca with MIVS was clearly visible on all the images without artifact, and the shape was round or oval with a sharp edge. The maximum diameter display error was 0.3 ± 0.2mm on CT and MRI images, and 1.0 ± 0.3mm on PET and SPECT images. In addition, the registration accuracy of the theca center among multi‐mode images was less than 1mm.Conclusion:The application of EMB with MIVS improves the registration and fusion accuracy of multi‐mode medical images. Furthermore, it has the potential to ameliorate disease diagnosis and treatment outcome.