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Abstract Background A significant proportion of the radiation dose from a PET-CT examination is dependent on the CT protocol, which should be optimised for clinical purposes. Matching protocols on different scanners within an imaging centre is important for the consistency of image quality and dose. This paper describes our experience translating low-dose CT protocols between scanner models utilising different automatic exposure control (AEC) methods and reconstruction algorithms. Methods The scanners investigated were a newly installed Siemens Biograph mCT PET with 64-slice SOMATOM Definition AS CT using sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) and two GE Discovery 710 PET scanners with 128-slice Optima 660 CT using adaptive statistical reconstruction (ASiR). Following exploratory phantom work, 33 adult patients of various sizes were scanned using the Siemens scanner and matched to patients scanned using our established GE protocol to give 33 patient pairs. A comparison of volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) and image noise within these patient pairs informed optimisation, specifically for obese patients. Another matched patient study containing 27 patient pairs was used to confirm protocol matching. Size-specific dose estimates (SSDEs) were calculated for patients in the second cohort. With the acquisition protocol for the Siemens scanner determined, clinicians visually graded the images to identify optimal reconstruction parameters. Results In the first matched patient study, the mean percentage difference in CTDIvol for Siemens compared to GE was − 10.7% (range − 41.7 to 50.1%), and the mean percentage difference in noise measured in the patients’ liver was 7.6% (range − 31.0 to 76.8%). In the second matched patient study, the mean percentage difference in CTDIvol for Siemens compared to GE was − 20.5% (range − 43.1 to 1.9%), and the mean percentage difference in noise was 19.8% (range − 27.0 to 146.8%). For these patients, the mean SSDEs for patients scanned on the Siemens and GE scanners were 3.27 (range 2.83 to 4.22) mGy and 4.09 (range 2.81 to 4.82) mGy, respectively. The analysis of the visual grading study indicated no preference for any of the SAFIRE strengths. Conclusions Given the different implementations of acquisition parameters and reconstruction algorithms between vendors, careful consideration is required to ensure optimisation and standardisation of protocols.

Abstract Background Positron emission tomography (PET) is the non-invasive reference standard for myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification. Hybrid PET-MR allows simultaneous PET and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) acquisition under identical experimental and physiological conditions. This study aimed to determine feasibility of simultaneous 13N-Ammonia PET and dynamic contrast-enhanced CMR MBF quantification in phantoms and healthy volunteers. Methods Images were acquired using a 3T hybrid PET-MR scanner. Phantom study: MBF was simulated at different physiological perfusion rates and a protocol for simultaneous PET-MR perfusion imaging was developed. Volunteer study: five healthy volunteers underwent adenosine stress. 13N-Ammonia and gadolinium were administered simultaneously. PET list mode data was reconstructed using ordered subset expectation maximisation. CMR MBF was quantified using Fermi function-constrained deconvolution of arterial input function and myocardial signal. PET MBF was obtained using a one-tissue compartment model and image-derived input function. Results Phantom study: PET and CMR MBF measurements demonstrated high repeatability with intraclass coefficients 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. There was high correlation between PET and CMR MBF (r = 0.98, p