Accuracy of Resolution Recovery in PSF-based Fully-3D PET Image Reconstruction: Simulation and Phantom Study in Multicenter Trial

Purpose Recently, the quality of positron emission tomography (PET) images has rapidly improved using resolution recovery algorithm with point spread function (PSF). The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the resolution recovery algorithm using three different PET systems. Methods Three PET scanner models, the GE Discovery 600 M (D600M), SIEMENS Biograph mCT (mCT), and SHIMADZU SET-3000GCT/X (3000GCT) were used in this study. The radial dependences of spatial resolution (full width at half maximum: FWHM) were obtained by point source measurements (0.9 mmφ). All PET data were acquired in three-dimensional (3D) mode and reconstructed using the filtered back projection (FBP) , 3D-ordered subsets expectation maximization (3D-OSEM or dynamic row-action maximum likelihood algorithm) , and 3D-OSEM+PSF (PSF) algorithms. Two indicators, aspect ratio (ASR) and resolution recovery ratio (RRR), were calculated from measured FWHMs and compared among the three PET scanners. Results In D600 and 3000GCT, distortions of the radial direction were slightly increased at circumference of field of view (FOV). On the other hand, random distortions were occurred in both radial and tangential direction in mCT. ASRs calculated from 3D-OSEM images at circumference of FOV were 2.06, 1.22, and 2.04 on D600M, mCT, and 3000GCT, respectively. ASR improved with PSF in all PET scanners. On the other hand, RRR with PSF were calculated 57.6%, 61.4%, and 31.6%, respectively. Conclusion Our results suggest that the spatial resolutions of PET images could be improved with PSF algorithm in all PET systems; however, effect of PSF was different depending on PET systems. Furthermore, PSF algorithm could not completely improve spatial resolutions in circumference of FOV.