4 - Gamma Camera/SPECT and CT Acceptance Testing

Sub-module 5.4 - Gamma Camera/SPECT and CT Acceptance Testing

and Commissioning

Objective

Be able to demonstrate familiarity with the processes involved in acceptance testing of gamma cameras/SPECT and CT.

Prerequisite

Familiarity with all aspects of gamma camera/SPECT and CT design and performance, both hardware and software

Familiarity with hot lab procedures and radiation safety requirements for handling the sources required for the acceptance tests

An understanding of the procedure for acceptance test of the gamma Competencies camera/SPECT and CT systems

Addressed

Ability to perform acceptance testing of the gamma camera / SPECT systems.

• Standards for gamma camera/SPECT acceptance testing

Core

• Manufacturer specifications of system performance

Knowledge

• Interpretation of acceptance test results • Criteria for acceptable performance • Appropriate action if equipment fails acceptance testing • Basic understanding of CT acceptance test. • Understand the reference test as part of the QC

• Read, and be reasonably familiar with, the resource material

Recommended

recommended for this competency.

Elements of

• Design a set of acceptance tests to be performed on a gamma camera

Training

system following its commissioning which determine whether the camera meets required performance specifications.

• Perform acceptance testing on a SPECT system

o Mechanical inspection o Pixel size o Centre Of Rotation (COR) o Tomographic uniformity o Tomographic resolution (air) o Tomographic resolution (scatter) o Mechanical inspection o Pixel size o Centre Of Rotation (COR) o Tomographic uniformity o Tomographic resolution (air) o Tomographic resolution (scatter)

• Produce a report which shows the results of the acceptance tests, flagging any non compliances (based on your original minimum performance specifications) and indicating whether the system should

be accepted for routine clinical imaging. • Obtain the relevant specifications from the vendors of currently available gamma cameras, SPECT and compare them to the specification document.

• Prepare a document detailing acceptance tests to be performed on a

gamma camera system capable of SPECT. • Write a report detailing the results of the acceptance tests. Flag any non compliances (based on your criteria from the previous step) and indicate whether the system should be accepted for routine clinical

imaging. • Discuss whether the camera meets any local national standards for

gamma camera performance (if available). • Perform the reference test at the annual basis. Compare the results to

the acceptance test to see any changes or deteriorations. • Observe the acceptance test of CT.

Knowledge

[1] AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICISTS IN MEDICINE,

Sources

Rotating Scintillation Camera SPECT Acceptance Testing and Quality Control, AAPM Rep. 22, New York (1987). http://www.aapm.org/pubs/reports/rpt_22.PDF.

[2] AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICISTS IN MEDICINE, Quantitation of SPECT Performance, Report of AAPM Nuclear Medicine Committee Task Group 4, AAPM Rep. 52, New York (1995). http://www.aapm.org/pubs/reports/rpt_52.PDF.

[3] BABICHEVA, R., BENNIE, N., COLLINS, L., GRUENEWALD, S., Parallel hole collimator acceptance tests for SPECT and planar studies, Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 20 4 (1997) 242-7.

[4] BLOKLAND, J.A., CAMPS, J.A., PAUWELS, E.K., Aspects of performance assessment of whole body imaging systems, Eur J Nucl Med 24 10 (1997) 1273-83.

[5] MURPHY, P.H., Acceptance testing and quality control of gamma cameras, including SPECT, J Nucl Med 28 7 (1987) 1221-7.

[6] NATIONAL ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, NEMA Standards Publication NU 1-2001, Performance Measurements of Scintillation Cameras (2001).

[7] Gamma camera vendor brochures and specification sheets.