Training activity information
Details
Investigate the impact of varying SPECT and PET image acquisition parameters
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Image quality requirements for common SPECT/PET procedures
- Assessment of image quality
- Impact of acquisition parameters (e.g. matrix size, number of frames and acquisition time)
- Weight based activity protocols
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- How does investigating the impact of varying SPECT and PET image acquisition parameters contribute to your ability to select and advise on technical parameters for clinical nuclear medicine image data and defend SPECT and PET image acquisition and reconstruction techniques?
- What specific acquisition parameters for SPECT and PET are you planning to investigate, and what are your objectives for each?
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain regarding the influence of factors like acquisition time, angular sampling, energy windows (for SPECT), and coincidence timing windows (for PET) on image quality, spatial resolution, and quantitative accuracy.
- Think about your current understanding of SPECT and PET acquisition. What specific questions do you hope this activity will answer?
- Discuss the available SPECT and PET scanners and analysis software with your training officer.
- Clarify which parameters you will be able to manipulate. Consider potential challenges in analysing the impact of multiple varying parameters.
- How will you structure your investigation to draw meaningful conclusions?
- Reflect on your current knowledge of the fundamental differences between SPECT and PET acquisition. How will you ensure your investigation considers these differences appropriately?
In action
- Pay attention to your actions.
- How are you approaching the investigation of different SPECT and PET image acquisition parameters?
- What is guiding your selection of parameters to vary?
- What decisions are you making regarding parameters such as acquisition time, number of projections, energy windows (for SPECT), or coincidence timing windows (for PET)?
- What aspects of SPECT and PET acquisition principles feel well-understood, and where do you need to consciously think through the implications of parameter adjustments?
- How effectively are your manipulations of the acquisition parameters demonstrating changes in the quality or characteristics of the reconstructed SPECT and PET images?
- What challenges are you encountering in isolating the impact of single parameter changes due to the interconnectedness of acquisition settings?
- What insights are you gaining about the trade-offs between different acquisition parameters (e.g., image quality vs. acquisition time)?
- How does this activity build upon your foundational knowledge of SPECT and PET instrumentation and data acquisition?
- Are there different phantoms or datasets you could utilise to better observe the effects of varying these parameters?
- If you are struggling to see the expected changes in image quality, what resources or expertise could you consult?
- Are the parameter adjustments you are making within clinically relevant ranges?
On action
- What were the key SPECT and PET image acquisition parameters that you varied during this activity?
- What differences did you observe in the reconstructed images when you altered these parameters?
- Did different parameters have varying degrees of influence on SPECT versus PET images?
- What challenges did you face while investigating the impact of these parameters?
- What specific insights did you gain into how varying acquisition parameters affects the quality of SPECT and PET images (e.g., resolution, sensitivity, noise)?
- Did you notice any trade-offs between different image quality characteristics when altering specific parameters?
- Were there any surprising findings regarding the impact of certain parameters? What did you learn from these surprises?
- How did your approach to varying the parameters and evaluating the resulting images influence your learning?
- How will this knowledge of SPECT and PET acquisition parameters influence your decisions when planning and performing clinical scans?
- What areas for further learning regarding SPECT and PET image acquisition have you identified?
- What specific steps will you take to consolidate and expand your understanding in this area?
- What resources or support would be beneficial for your continued learning about these parameters?
Beyond action
- Reflect on your investigation into the impact of varying SPECT and PET image acquisition parameters.
- What key differences did you observe compared to planar imaging? How did your findings from this training activity compare with your understanding of planar gamma camera acquisition parameters? Did one inform the other?
- Consider if your understanding of the trade-offs between acquisition time, image quality, and patient dose has evolved since completing this training activity.
- Have discussions with colleagues about SPECT and PET acquisition parameters provided any further perspectives on their clinical implications?
- Understanding the nuances of SPECT and PET acquisition parameters is crucial for selecting and advising on technical parameters in hybrid imaging.
- How has this training activity contributed to your ability to do this?
- Can you relate your learning from this activity to discussions about image quality or protocol optimisation you may have observed or participated in?
- How has this experience enhanced your understanding of SPECT and PET imaging acquisition parameters and image quality?
- Consider how the knowledge gained from this training activity will support your understanding and adoption of new SPECT and PET technologies or acquisition techniques that may be introduced in the future.
- What further learning or experiences would be beneficial to deepen your understanding of advanced SPECT and PET acquisition strategies?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Select and advise on the technical parameters used to acquire, process or reconstruct clinical nuclear medicine image data. |