Validation of a new SPECT quantification method using computer simulation

The authors present a new automated method for SPECT quantification and display, and its validation using computer simulations. The computer simulations provide validation for calculating myocardial defect severity. The short axial slices of the phantoms were divided into four walls (Anterior, Septal, Inferior and Lateral). Simulated myocardial defects with various degrees of severity were created in each wall from apical to basal slices. Twenty-nine computerized phantoms each with twelve SPECT short axial slices were quantified and analyzed using the Yale-CQ (Yale Circumferential Quantification) software. Two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) quantitative profiles and defect scores from the simulated short axial slices were obtained. The calculated defect score correlated highly with simulated defect severity (R=0.99 both in 2D and 3D). Thus, the quantitative defect score generated with the authors' SPECT quantification algorithm can be used as a reliable index for detecting severity of myocardial perfusion defect.