Investigation of the possibility of improving spatial resolution in SPECT with the combination of LaBr3:Ce-based detector and 3D-OSEM reconstruction algorithms

This study investigates the potential of improving spatial resolution in SPECT imaging using a combination of LaBr(3):Ce detectors and 3D-OSEM image reconstruction algorithms. Potential spatial resolution improvement was assessed intrinsically and extrinsically using GATE Monte Carlo simulation. Significantly improved MTF of LaBr(3):Ce detectors suggests better resolution performance at all spatial frequencies. In comparison to conventional Nal(Tl) scintillators, a combination of the LaBr(3):Ce crystal and 3D-OSEM incorporating resolution recovery could significantly improve the extrinsic spatial resolution of SPECT images. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.