TU‐B‐210A‐01: Quality Assurance Testing of Gamma Camera and SPECT Systems

Abstract

Routine quality control, calibration and performance testing of gamma cameras are necessary in order to consistently acquire good quality images without artifacts. This lecture will briefly cover the basics of gamma camera image formation and performance characteristics. The lecture will primarily focus on quality assurance tests for gamma cameras, both routine quality control and annual physics surveys. Some of the performance tests proscribed by NEMA are difficult to perform in the field so the physicist needs to know which tests are critical and practical ways to perform them in the field.It is becoming increasingly common for providers of nuclear medicine imaging services to seek accreditation, either from the American College of Radiology (ACR) or the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL). The ACR defines a set of performance tests for the annual physics survey and these will be discussed as well as the tests required for submission for accreditation.Common problems and image artifacts will be discussed as well as how to correct these problems. Calibration procedures such as center of rotation and uniformity calibration will be discussed.Learning Objectives:1. Learn the basics of gamma camera and SPECT performance measurements and quality assurance test procedures.2. Become familiar with the annual physics survey performance tests defined by the ACR accreditation program.3. Be able to identify and correct common problems and image artifacts in gamma camera and SPECT imaging.