Acceptance testing and performance evaluation of SPECT Gamma Camera

Objective The aim of this study is to perform the acceptance tests of Siemens Symbia E dual head gamma camera newly installed at the nuclear medicine department of NORI, Pakistan according to the specifications given by the manufacturer. Material and methods Acceptance tests performed include the measurement of system differential and integral uniformity, energy resolution, image resolution and linearity, center of rotation and total SPECT performance. Tc-99m, Co-57 and I-131 radioistopes of different amount are used according to respective calibration measurements. Different types of collimators are used for extrinsic measurement studies and Jaszczak phantom is used for the evaluation of total SPECT performance of the system. Results The results obtained for differential and integral uniformity values over central and useful field of views are 1.86%, 2.35% and 3.97%, 4.38% respectively for detector 1. Differential and integral uniformity values obtained for detector 2 over central and useful field of views are 2.01%, 2.57% and 4.06%, 4.71% respectively. The COR test performed for both detectors at 76°, 90°, 180° configuration and obtained results compared with the recommended limits.   Conclusions The results obtained by these experimental studies showed that uniformity and integral values are within acceptable limits. Energy resolution, peaking, dead time and center of rotation for each detector configuration are within the recommended limits. It is also observed in the present study that intrinsic resolution is better than extrinsic resolution and system is showing good linearity behavior and sustainable sensitivity values.