Attenuation correction in SPECT without attenuation map.

Abstract

A method of attenuation correction in Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), based on emission data only is presented. The algorithm uses the well known Helgason-Ludwig consistency conditions. However, it does not attempt to find the attenuation map, but rather the correction factors for the projection data, which makes the problem simpler and does not need to assume any particular template of the attenuation map. Although the method alone gives only approximate correction, it can be combined with other approaches to provide an effective improvement for scanning systems without the transmission scan functionality.