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Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook

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A special issue of Journal of Imaging (ISSN 2313-433X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2022) | Viewed by 37469

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sarah Bugby

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Guest Editor

Centre for Sensing and Imaging Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
Interests: nuclear medicine; intraoperative imaging; X-ray/gamma detection; scintillator detectors; compound semiconductor detectors; imaging analysis; Monte Carlo modelling

Dr. Dimitra Darambara

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Guest Editor

Joint Department of Physics, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Interests: conceptual design; development and realisation of emerging quantitative imaging techniques and innovative instrumentation; X-ray photon-counting and multi-spectral semiconductor detectors; X- and gamma-ray semiconductor detectors; Monte Carlo and Finite Element modelling for advanced sytem performance optimisation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nuclear medicine, and molecular imaging based on radionuclides, is a fundamental tool for in vivo visualisation at depth and over time. Its use in the assessment of biological processes and pathways in, among others, oncology, cardiology and neurology has led to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients.

This has always been a technologically-driven dynamic research field. Progress in indirect and direct detector materials, data acquisition systems, optics, multimodal integration, novel radiotracers, and analysis and reconstruction techniques mean that clinicians now have a wide array of instrumentation to draw upon, from whole body PET/CT to handheld gamma imaging.

Current research and developments are advancing system performance through improved energy, and time and spatial resolutions that will significantly improve the quantitative accuracy of nuclear medicine imaging as well as our understanding of disease processes. Increases in detector sensitivity will reduce the necessary dose received by patients and staff. Novel multimodal systems will provide additional information to clinicians, improving patient diagnosis, treatment, and care.

This Special Issue seeks to explore current cutting edge research in nuclear medicine and multimodal imaging, as well as the emerging technologies that will impact the field over the next 5–10 years.

We request contributions including:

Reviews and editorials (some of which will be invited) describing the current state of the art or perspectives on future developments, challenges, and the direction of the field;
Original research articles describing emerging techniques and pre-adoption technology and developments which have the potential to impact and shape the future roadmap of nuclear medicine.

Dr. Sarah Bugby
Dr. Dimitra Darambara
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Imaging is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Nuclear medicine and Molecular imaging
Multimodal imaging approaches, e.g., PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR, SPECT/MR, optical/PET etc.
SPECT and PET including Total Body PET, TOF PET and organ-specific and/or application-specific systems
Compton imaging in nuclear medicine
Semiconductor detectors for nuclear medicine imaging
Solid state photodetectors for nuclear medicine imaging applications
Novel detector technologies for nuclear medicine imaging applications
Targeted radionuclide therapy
In-beam PET detectors for proton and hadron therapy
Wearable detectors for nuclear medicine applications
Nanotechnology (nanoparticles and nanomaterials) for nuclear medicine applications and multimodality imaging
Simulation and modelling of novel nuclear medicine imaging systems
Emerging applications and innovative concepts in nuclear medicine imaging applications
Algorithms or software with applications in nuclear medicine e.g. for image analysis or reconstruction which make use of advances in imaging technology

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 8796 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attenuation Correction Using Template PET Registration for Brain PET: A Proof-of-Concept Study

by Markus Jehl, Ekaterina Mikhaylova, Valerie Treyer, Marlena Hofbauer, Martin Hüllner, Philipp A. Kaufmann, Alfred Buck, Geoff Warnock, Viet Dao, Charalampos Tsoumpas, Daniel Deidda, Kris Thielemans, Max Ludwig Ahnen and Jannis Fischer

J. Imaging 2023, 9(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging9010002 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2762

Abstract

NeuroLF is a dedicated brain PET system with an octagonal prism shape housed in a scanner head that can be positioned around a patient’s head. Because it does not have MR or CT capabilities, attenuation correction based on an estimation of the attenuation map is a crucial feature. In this article, we demonstrate this method on [¹⁸F]FDG PET brain scans performed with a low-resolution proof of concept prototype of NeuroLF called BPET. We perform an affine registration of a template PET scan to the uncorrected emission image, and then apply the resulting transform to the corresponding template attenuation map. Using a whole-body PET/CT system as reference, we quantitively show that this method yields comparable image quality (0.893 average correlation to reference scan) to using the reference µ-map as obtained from the CT scan of the imaged patient (0.908 average correlation). We conclude from this initial study that attenuation correction using template registration instead of a patient CT delivers similar results and is an option for patients undergoing brain PET. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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16 pages, 2038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prognostic Value of Bone Marrow Uptake Using 18F-FDG PET/CT Scans in Solid Neoplasms

by Francisco Tustumi, David Gutiérrez Albenda, Fernando Simionato Perrotta, Rubens Antonio Aissar Sallum, Ulysses Ribeiro Junior, Carlos Alberto Buchpiguel and Paulo Schiavom Duarte

J. Imaging 2022, 8(11), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8110297 - 31 Oct 2022

Viewed by 2793

Abstract

Background: Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) uptake is known to increase in infective and inflammatory conditions. Systemic inflammation plays a role in oncologic prognosis. Consequently, bone marrow increased uptake in oncology patients could potentially depict the systemic cancer burden. Methods: A single institute cohort analysis and a systematic review were performed, evaluating the prognostic role of 18F-FDG uptake in the bone marrow in solid neoplasms before treatment. The cohort included 113 esophageal cancer patients (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). The systematic review was based on 18 studies evaluating solid neoplasms, including gynecological, lung, pleura, breast, pancreas, head and neck, esophagus, stomach, colorectal, and anus. Results: Bone marrow 18F-FDG uptake in esophageal cancer was not correlated with staging, pathological response, and survival. High bone marrow uptake was related to advanced staging in colorectal, head and neck, and breast cancer, but not in lung cancer. Bone marrow 18F-FDG uptake was significantly associated with survival rates for lung, head and neck, breast, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and gynecological neoplasms but was not significantly associated with survival in pediatric neuroblastoma and esophageal cancer. Conclusion: 18F-FDG bone marrow uptake in PET/CT has prognostic value in several solid neoplasms, including lung, gastric, colorectal, head and neck, breast, pancreas, and gynecological cancers. However, future studies are still needed to define the role of bone marrow role in cancer prognostication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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13 pages, 2081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of STIR Library Adapted for PET Scanners with Non-Cylindrical Geometry

by Viet Dao, Ekaterina Mikhaylova, Max L. Ahnen, Jannis Fischer, Kris Thielemans and Charalampos Tsoumpas

J. Imaging 2022, 8(6), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8060172 - 18 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2591

Abstract

Software for Tomographic Image Reconstruction (STIR) is an open source C++ library used to reconstruct single photon emission tomography and positron emission tomography (PET) data. STIR has an experimental scanner geometry modelling feature to accurately model detector placement. In this study, we test and improve this new feature using several types of data: Monte Carlo simulations and measured phantom data acquired from a dedicated brain PET prototype scanner. The results show that the new geometry class applied to non-cylindrical PET scanners improved spatial resolution, uniformity, and image contrast. These are directly observed in the reconstructions of small features in the test quality phantom. Overall, we conclude that the revised “BlocksOnCylindrical” class will be a valuable addition to the next STIR software release with adjustments of existing features (Single Scatter Simulation, forward projection, attenuation corrections) to “BlocksOnCylindrical”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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16 pages, 2855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning for Early Parkinson’s Disease Identification within SWEDD Group Using Clinical and DaTSCAN SPECT Imaging Features

by Hajer Khachnaoui, Nawres Khlifa and Rostom Mabrouk

J. Imaging 2022, 8(4), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8040097 - 2 Apr 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4154

Abstract

Early Parkinson’s Disease (PD) diagnosis is a critical challenge in the treatment process. Meeting this challenge allows appropriate planning for patients. However, Scan Without Evidence of Dopaminergic Deficit (SWEDD) is a heterogeneous group of PD patients and Healthy Controls (HC) in clinical and imaging features. The application of diagnostic tools based on Machine Learning (ML) comes into play here as they are capable of distinguishing between HC subjects and PD patients within an SWEDD group. In the present study, three ML algorithms were used to separate PD patients from HC within an SWEDD group. Data of 548 subjects were firstly analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) techniques. Using the best reduction technique result, we built the following clustering models: Density-Based Spatial (DBSCAN), K-means and Hierarchical Clustering. According to our findings, LDA performs better than PCA; therefore, LDA was used as input for the clustering models. The different models’ performances were assessed by comparing the clustering algorithms outcomes with the ground truth after a follow-up. Hierarchical Clustering surpassed DBSCAN and K-means algorithms by 64%, 78.13% and 38.89% in terms of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The proposed method demonstrated the suitability of ML models to distinguish PD patients from HC subjects within an SWEDD group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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17 pages, 1222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Principal Component Analysis versus Subject’s Residual Profile Analysis for Neuroinflammation Investigation in Parkinson Patients: A PET Brain Imaging Study

by Rostom Mabrouk

J. Imaging 2022, 8(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8030056 - 25 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2776

Abstract

Dysfunction of neurons in the central nervous system is the primary pathological feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite different triggering, emerging evidence indicates that neuroinflammation revealed through microglia activation is critical for PD. Moreover, recent investigations sought a potential relationship between Lrrk2 genetic mutation and microglia activation. In this paper, neuroinflammation in sporadic PD, Lrrk2-PD and unaffected Lrrk2 mutation carriers were investigated. The principal component analysis (PCA) and the subject’s residual profile (SRP) techniques were performed on multiple groups and regions of interest in 22 brain-regions. The ¹¹C-PBR28 binding profiles were compared in four genotypes depending on groups, i.e., HC, sPD, Lrrk2-PD and UC, using the PCA and SPR scores. The genotype effect was found as a principal feature of group-dependent ¹¹C-PBR28 binding, and preliminary evidence of a MAB-Lrrk2 mutation interaction in manifest Parkinson’s and subjects at risk was found. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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12 pages, 2159 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monte Carlo Characterization of the Trimage Brain PET System

by Luigi Masturzo, Pietro Carra, Paola Anna Erba, Matteo Morrocchi, Alessandro Pilleri, Giancarlo Sportelli and Nicola Belcari

J. Imaging 2022, 8(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8020021 - 23 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2875

Abstract

The TRIMAGE project aims to develop a brain-dedicated PET/MR/EEG (Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance/Electroencephalogram) system that is able to perform simultaneous PET, MR and EEG acquisitions. The PET component consists of a full ring with 18 sectors. Each sector includes three square detector modules based on dual sstaggered LYSO:Ce matrices read out by SiPMs. Using Monte Carlo simulations and following NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) guidelines, image quality procedures have been applied to evaluate the performance of the PET component of the system. The performance are reported in terms of spatial resolution, uniformity, recovery coefficient, spill over ratio, noise equivalent count rate (NECR) and scatter fraction. The results show that the TRIMAGE system is at the top of the current brain PET technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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Review

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36 pages, 30803 KiB

Open AccessReview

Intraoperative Gamma Cameras: A Review of Development in the Last Decade and Future Outlook

by Andrew L. Farnworth and Sarah L. Bugby

J. Imaging 2023, 9(5), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging9050102 - 16 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4258

Abstract

Portable gamma cameras suitable for intraoperative imaging are in active development and testing. These cameras utilise a range of collimation, detection, and readout architectures, each of which can have significant and interacting impacts on the performance of the system as a whole. In this review, we provide an analysis of intraoperative gamma camera development over the past decade. The designs and performance of 17 imaging systems are compared in depth. We discuss where recent technological developments have had the greatest impact, identify emerging technological and scientific requirements, and predict future research directions. This is a comprehensive review of the current and emerging state-of-the-art as more devices enter clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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22 pages, 377 KiB

Open AccessReview

Emerging Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation

by Anton Kondakov, Alexander Berdalin, Mikhail Beregov and Vladimir Lelyuk

J. Imaging 2022, 8(10), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8100261 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2268

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic widespread cardiovascular disease and a major predisposing factor for cardiovascular events, among which there are myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Atherosclerotic plaque formation is a process that involves different mechanisms, of which inflammation is the most common. Plenty of radiopharmaceuticals were developed to elucidate the process of plaque formation at different stages, some of which were highly specific for atherosclerotic plaque. This review summarizes the current nuclear medicine imaging landscape of preclinical and small-scale clinical studies of these specific RPs, which are not as widespread as labeled FDG, sodium fluoride, and choline. These include oxidation-specific epitope imaging, macrophage, and other cell receptors visualization, neoangiogenesis, and macrophage death imaging. It is shown that specific radiopharmaceuticals have strength in pathophysiologically sound imaging of the atherosclerotic plaques at different stages, but this also may induce problems with the signal registration for low-volume plaques in the vascular wall. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

14 pages, 2416 KiB

Open AccessReview

Dual-Energy CT of the Heart: A Review

by Serena Dell’Aversana, Raffaele Ascione, Marco De Giorgi, Davide Raffaele De Lucia, Renato Cuocolo, Marco Boccalatte, Gerolamo Sibilio, Giovanni Napolitano, Giuseppe Muscogiuri, Sandro Sironi, Giuseppe Di Costanzo, Enrico Cavaglià, Massimo Imbriaco and Andrea Ponsiglione

J. Imaging 2022, 8(9), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8090236 - 1 Sep 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6520

Abstract

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) represents an emerging imaging technique which consists of the acquisition of two separate datasets utilizing two different X-ray spectra energies. Several cardiac DECT applications have been assessed, such as virtual monoenergetic images, virtual non-contrast reconstructions, and iodine myocardial perfusion maps, which are demonstrated to improve diagnostic accuracy and image quality while reducing both radiation and contrast media administration. This review will summarize the technical basis of DECT and review the principal cardiac applications currently adopted in clinical practice, exploring possible future applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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23 pages, 12300 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Multimodality Imaging in Ischemic Chronic Cardiomyopathy

by Giuseppe Muscogiuri, Marco Guglielmo, Alessandra Serra, Marco Gatti, Valentina Volpato, Uwe Joseph Schoepf, Luca Saba, Riccardo Cau, Riccardo Faletti, Liam J. McGill, Carlo Nicola De Cecco, Gianluca Pontone, Serena Dell’Aversana and Sandro Sironi

J. Imaging 2022, 8(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging8020035 - 1 Feb 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4793

Abstract

Ischemic chronic cardiomyopathy (ICC) is still one of the most common cardiac diseases leading to the development of myocardial ischemia, infarction, or heart failure. The application of several imaging modalities can provide information regarding coronary anatomy, coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia and tissue characterization. In particular, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) can provide information regarding coronary plaque stenosis, its composition, and the possible evaluation of myocardial ischemia using fractional flow reserve CT or CT perfusion. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can be used to evaluate cardiac function as well as the presence of ischemia. In addition, CMR can be used to characterize the myocardial tissue of hibernated or infarcted myocardium. Echocardiography is the most widely used technique to achieve information regarding function and myocardial wall motion abnormalities during myocardial ischemia. Nuclear medicine can be used to evaluate perfusion in both qualitative and quantitative assessment. In this review we aim to provide an overview regarding the different noninvasive imaging techniques for the evaluation of ICC, providing information ranging from the anatomical assessment of coronary artery arteries to the assessment of ischemic myocardium and myocardial infarction. In particular this review is going to show the different noninvasive approaches based on the specific clinical history of patients with ICC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Technology for Nuclear Medicine: Recent Advances and Future Outlook)

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