Simultaneous Estimation of Bias and Resolution in PET Images with a Long-Lived 'Pocket' Phantom System

A challenge in multicenter trials that use quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is the often unknown variability in PET image values, typically measured as standardized uptake values, introduced by intersite differences in global and resolution-dependent biases. We present a method for the simultaneous monitoring of scanner calibration and reconstructed image resolution on a per-scan basis using a PET/computed tomography (CT) “pocket” phantom. We use simulation and phantom studies to optimize the design and construction of the PET/CT pocket phantom (120 × 30 × 30 mm). We then evaluate the performance of the PET/CT pocket phantom and accompanying software used alongside an anthropomorphic phantom when known variations in global bias (±20%, ±40%) and resolution (3-, 6-, and 12-mm postreconstruction filters) are introduced. The resulting prototype PET/CT pocket phantom design uses 3 long-lived sources (15-mm diameter) containing germanium-68 and a CT contrast agent in an epoxy matrix. Activity concentrations varied from 30 to 190 kBq/mL. The pocket phantom software can accurately estimate global bias and can detect changes in resolution in measured phantom images. The pocket phantom is small enough to be scanned with patients and can potentially be used on a per-scan basis for quality assurance for clinical trials and quantitative PET imaging in general. Further studies are being performed to evaluate its performance under variations in clinical conditions that occur in practice.