The 68Ge phantom-based FDG-PET site qualification program for clinical trials adopted by FIL (Italian Foundation on Lymphoma). Issue 5 (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chauvie, Stephane; Bergesio, Fabrizio; Fioroni, Federica; Brambilla, Marco; Biggi, Alberto; Versari, Annibale; Guerra, Luca; Storto, Giovanni; Musto, Pellegrino; Luminari, Stefano; Cabras, Maria G.; Balzarotti, Monica; Rigacci, Luigi; Martelli, Maurizio; Vitolo, Umberto; Federico, Massimo; Gallamini, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Physica medica. Volume 32:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 651
• Page End: 656
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Quantitative imaging -- Positron emission tomography -- Clinical trials -- Lymphoma; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Imagerie médicale -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Rayons X -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Physique -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.04.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-1797

Abstract

Highlights: Quantitative Positron Emission Tomography (QPET) could be used as a biomarker. Clinical trial qualification (CTQ) of PET scanners is mandatory for reliable use of QPET. Variability in activity measurements at 95% CI was 74.0% ( 18 F) and 20.5% ( 68 Ge). 100% (with 68 Ge) and 28% (with 18 F) of PET scanners passed CTQ at first round. CTQ with 68 Ge vs 18 F filled phantom assure lower variability and eases the process. Abstract: Purpose: The quantitative assessment of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans using standardized uptake value and derived parameters proved to be superior to traditional qualitative assessment in several retrospective or mono-centric prospective reports. Since different scanners give different quantitative readings, a program for clinical trial qualification (CTQ) is mandatory to guarantee a reliable and reproducible use of quantitative PET in prospective multi-centre clinical trials and in every-day clinical life. Methods: We set up, under the auspices of Italian Foundation on Lymphoma (FIL), a CTQ program consisting of the PET/CT scan acquisition and analysis of 18 F and 68 Ge NEMA/IEC image quality phantoms for the reduction of inter-scanner variability. Variability was estimated on background activity concentration (BAC) and sphere to background ratio (SBR). Results: The use of a 68 Ge phantom allowed reducing the inter-scanner variability among different scanners from 74.0% to 20.5% in BAC and from 63.3% to 17.4% in SBR compared to using the 18 F phantom. The CTQ criteria were fulfilled at first round in 100% and 28% of PET scanners with 68 Ge and 18 F respectively. Conclusions: The 68 Ge phantom proved a reliable tool for PET scanner qualification, able to significantly reduce the potential sources of error while increasing the reproducibility of PET derived quantitative parameter measurement.