Quality and quantity assessment of tomographic exams that can be performed on existing hybrid equipment at Botucatu Medical School Nuclear Medicine Facility

Computed Tomography (CT) has been one of the greatest innovations for medical diagnosis. Among the main features of CT is its ability to provide high-quality anatomical and functional images. Another important imaging modalities are the ones conducted in Nuclear Medicine (NM), which utilizes radiotracers to obtain metabolic and molecular images in vivo. The union of NM and CT imaging modalities is possible through hybrid equipment. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the quality and quantity of tomographic exams that can be performed in hybrid equipment. To complete this research an analyzes of the ability to perform CT exams in the room that holds a Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) equipment in an NM facility was carried out. The evaluation criteria were: equipment quality control, image quality assessment by a subjective method as per European Guidelines on Quality Criteria for Computed Tomography (EUR) and assessment of shielding of the room, as an indicator of how many exams can be performed. Considering the results of the barrier thickness, the Botucatu Medical School and Nuclear Medicine facility is capable of performing 100 tomography exams per week. According to information obtained in the facility there are approximately 20 CT scans performed weekly. This indicates an opportunity to increase up to 80 exams per week. Therefore, the analyzed hybrid equipment was qualified to perform diagnostic tests with superior image quality, compared to those performed in dedicated CT equipment. (author)