Evaluation of the Effect of Acquisition Time on Image Quality of Adrenal Carcinoma PET/CT Scans

Hiba  Al-Hameed; Zainab Raad  Salman; Hayder Kadhim  Essa; Mustafa Ibrahim Ahmed  Aldulaimy; Hiyam A.  Altaii

doi:10.18502/fbt.v12i4.19812

Hiba Al-Hameed Physics Department, College of Science for Women, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq
Zainab Raad Salman Physics Department, College of Science for Women, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq
Hayder Kadhim Essa Ministry of Health, Al-Rusafa Health Directorate, Alywia Hospital for Children, Baghdad, Iraq
Mustafa Ibrahim Ahmed Aldulaimy Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
Hiyam A. Altaii Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fbt.v12i4.19812

Keywords: Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography; Adrenal Cancer; Acquisition Time; Image Quality.

Abstract

Purpose: Adrenal adenomas are best detected and understood using a Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner. When doing PET scans, the acquisition time of 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸FDG) absorption is crucial as it determines the diagnostic accuracy and quality of the images. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various acquisition periods to assess the efficacy of PET/CT in identifying adrenal adenomas (1.5 vs. 3 minutes).

Materials and Methods: The research included 30 patients who were thought to have adrenal adenomas. Following the ¹⁸FDG injection, PET/CT imaging was performed on each patient using one of two distinct acquisition times: 1.5 or 3 minutes. The image quality was objectively evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Experienced nuclear medicine professionals used consensus reading to assess diagnostic performance for adrenal adenoma identification.

Results: The preliminary findings showed that compared to the 1.5-minute acquisition technique, PET/CT imaging with a 3-minute duration after ¹⁸FDG injection produced considerably superior image quality (p < 0.05). In addition, the longer acquisition time significantly increased the chance of detecting the lesion more precisely, improving the visualisation and characterisation of adrenal adenomas. With greater sensitivity and specificity, the 3-minute acquisition methodology showed better diagnostic accuracy for adrenal adenoma identification than the 1.5-minute approach.

Conclusion: The study suggests that extending the acquisition time to 3 minutes improves image quality and diagnostic performance for adrenal adenoma detection, potentially improving patient care by facilitating accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.