Optimizing the image quality of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) systems is crucial for effective monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment planning in oncology. This study evaluates the impact of time-of-flight (TOF) on PET/CT performance, focusing on varying penalty β values within Q. Clear reconstruction algorithm. The study measured signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) using the Discovery MI PET/CT scanner and NEMA IQ phantom filled with the radiotracer fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). PET/CT scans were performed with and without TOF using β values of 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000. Pixel intensity values were measured using ImageJ software, and SNR and CNR were calculated. Results indicated that increasing β values improved SNR and CNR for both non-TOF and TOF images. At a β value of 100, SNR and CNR increased across all sphere sizes (10mm, 13mm, 17mm, 22mm, 28mm, 37mm) when comparing non-TOF and TOF images. However, β values of 500 or higher led to decreased SNR and CNR, particularly in larger spheres (22mm, 28mm, 37mm), when TOF was utilized. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing β values and employing TOF reconstruction in PET/CT scans to achieve the highest possible image quality. In clinical practice, practitioners should adjust β values in accordance with routine protocols, considering the size of the target region and the use of TOF reconstruction.
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