A new technique is able to reduce image degradation that's caused by a patient's breathing motion during a PET scan, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland. It allows for more accurate image acquisition when detecting cancer and heart conditions.

The technique is based on bioimpedance measurement and uses a very weak electrical current that passes through the patient's chest. The changes in the resulting voltage are measured, because the voltage is known to change based on the patient's breathing and cardiac function.

Researchers at the university conducted a two-part study to investigate how effective the technique was for respiratory and cardiac motion compensation for PET. In the first part, the researchers used computational models and test subjects to find the best bioimpedance measurement configuration for measuring respiratory and cardiac gating signals at the same time.

Once they determined the best configuration, the second part of the study analyzed whether bioimpedance techniques can be used to decrease respiration-related degradation in PET images. Researchers found when they synchronized the images with bioimpedance, they were able to see small details that they couldn't see before.

Tuomas Koivumaki, author of the study, reported that the reduced distortion of the image information can help physicians both in terms of qualitative and quantitative evaluation. "Qualitatively this means, for example, that some small targets, such as small oncologic lesions, are more distinguishable," he wrote to DOTmed News. "Quantitatively, this reduces underestimation of the metabolic activity of the lesions and overestimation of their volume, for example."

In order to become viable for wide use in clinical practice, the technique has to undergo more fine-tuning. The researchers will continue to develop its sensitivity, linearity and the robustness of the measurement setup.

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