Evaluation of an Experimental Breath-holding Image Acquisition with Regard to Pulmonary Nodule Detection on Chest FDG PET Image

Breath-hold imaging has been performing more frequently to reduce the respiratory motion artifact in chest imaging by means of positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose(FDG). It is difficult to hold breath for 30 seconds or more. We evaluated an experimental breath-holding image acquisition using phantoms with regard to pulmonary nodule detection on chest FDG PET image to examine whether the total acquisition time could be reduced. Images obtained during 180 seconds of continuous movement were compared with static images recorded during 60 - 180 seconds (15 seconds×4, 6, 8, 10, 12 times). Although shorter acquisition times resulted in greater variability in background activity, images recorded under static conditions for 90 seconds (15 seconds×6 times) or less showed nodules that were smaller than those observable in images recorded during continuous movement for 180 seconds. Breath-holding therefore permits the detection of smaller nodules on chest FDG PET images at shorter acquisition times.