Background:

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a nuclear medicine tomographic imaging technique using gamma rays.
The technique requires delivery of a gamma-emitting radiopharmaceutical into the patient, normally through injection into the bloodstream. The pharmacokinetic of the radiopharmaceutical in an organ allows studying the biology or the functionality of the considered organ. The pharmacokinetic is obtained by image quantification of the administered radiopharmaceutical. The perfusion and the functionality of the liver are evaluated trough the administration of respectively 99mTc-MAA and 99mTc-BRIDA.
SPECT imaging is performed by using a gamma camera to acquire multiple 2-D images (also called projections), from multiple angles. Software is then used to apply a tomographic reconstruction algorithm to the multiple projections, yielding a 3-D data set. Tomographic reconstruction algorithm requires parameter definition and standardization to allow reproducible quantification.
Goal:
The goal of this master thesis is to define optimized SPECT reconstruction for liver functionality quantification with MIM Software after 99mTc-MAA or 99mTc-BRIDA administration. First, the Master student will study the available literature on the subject. Secondly, based on literature findings and discussion with the medical physics team the student will determine a list of reconstruction parameters to investigate. Thirdly she/he will prepare and acquired phantoms (plastic objects that mimics human thorax) containing homogenous activity of 99mTc, for different levels of activity. Then the student will reconstruct all acquired phantoms with each predefined reconstruction parameter (MIM softaware) and will perform image quality analysis. Finally, based on phantom results, the student will select 2/3 reconstruction parameters that perform best across all phantom acquisition and will test it on patients (MIM software). Visual and quantitative analysis will be used to determine the optimal reconstruction parameter for liver functionality quantification.

Promotors:

hugo.levillain@bordet.be

bruno.vanderlinden@bordet.be

Olivier Debeir odebeir@ulb.ac.be

Nicolas Pauly Nicolas.Pauly@ulb.be