Harmonization based on quantitative analysis of standardized uptake value variations across PET/CT scanners: a multicenter phantom study. Issue 9 (15th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monsef, Abbas; Ay, Mohammad Reza; Sheikhzadeh, Peyman; Geramifar, Parham; Rahmim, Arman; Ghafarian, Pardis
• Is Part Of: Nuclear medicine communications. Volume 43:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 1004
• Page End: 1014
• Publication Date: 2022-07-15
• Subjects: PET/CT -- SUV -- harmonization -- multi-center study -- repeatability; Nuclear medicine -- Periodicals; 616.07575
• DOI: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-3636

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to measure standardized uptake value (SUV) variations across different PET/computed tomography (CT) scanners to harmonize quantification across systems. Methods: We acquired images using the National Electrical Manufacturers Association International Electrotechnical Commission phantom from three PET/CT scanners operated using routine imaging protocols at each site. The SUVs of lesions were assessed in the presence of reference values by a digital reference object (DRO) and recommendations by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM/EARL) to measure inter-site variations. For harmonization, Gaussian filters with tuned full width at half maximum (FWHM) values were applied to images to minimize differences in SUVs between reference and images. Inter-site variation of SUVs was evaluated in both pre- and postharmonization situations. Test-retest analysis was also carried out to evaluate repeatability. Results: SUVs from different scanners became significantly more consistent, and inter-site differences decreased for SUVmean, SUVmax and SUVpeak from 17.3, 20.7, and 15.5% to 4.8, 4.7, and 2.7%, respectively, by harmonization ( P values <0.05 for all). The values for contrast-to-noise ratio in the smallest lesion of the phantom verified preservation of image quality following harmonization (>2.8%). Conclusions: Harmonization significantly lowered variations in SUV measurements across different PET/CT scanners, improving reproducibility while preserving image quality.