Impact of Wolfmet Tungsten Alloys as Parallel-Hole Collimator Material on Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Image Quality and Functional Parameters: A Simulating Medical Imaging Nuclear Detectors Monte Carlo Study

Abstract Objectives  Collimators have a significant role in image quality and detectability in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Using an appropriate alloy that effectively absorbs scattered photons, without induced secondary x-rays, and with proper rigidity and weight may provide an effective approach to the image improvement that conventionally collimators made of lead (Pb). Materials and Methods  A Siemens E.CAM SPECT imaging system equipped with low-energy high-resolution (LEHR) collimator was simulated by the Simulating Medical Imaging Nuclear Detectors Monte Carlo program. Experimental and simulated data were compared based on a 2-mm 99m Tc point source in an acrylic cylindrical Deluxe phantom (Data Spectrum, Inc). Seven types of tungsten (W) alloys (Wolfmet), with W content from 90 to 97% by weight, were then used as collimator materials of the simulated system. Camera parameters, such as energy- and spatial resolution, image contrast, and collimator-related parameters, such as fraction of septal penetration, scatter-to-primary ratios, and percentage of induced secondary x-rays, due to interactions in the collimator, were evaluated. Results  Acceptable conformity was found for the simulated and experiment systems in terms of energy spectra, 10.113 and 10.140%, full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the point spread function (PSF) curves, 8.78 and 9.06 mm, sensitivity, 78.46 and 78.34 cps/MBq, and contrast in images of 19.1 mm cold spheres in the Deluxe phantom, 79.17 and 78.97%, respectively. Results on the parameters of the simulated system with LEHR collimator made from the alloys showed that the alloy consisting of 90% W, 6% nickel, and 4% copper provided an FWHM of 8.76 mm, resulting in a 0.2% improvement in spatial resolution. Furthermore, all the Wolfmet collimators showed a 48% reduction in the amount of X-rays production compared to the Pb. Conclusion  A Wolfmet LEHR collimator, made by a combination of W (90%), Ni (6%), and Cu (6%) provides a better image quality and detectability compared to the Pb.