Mehrzad Cohenpour, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Andrei Aron, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hedva Lerman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Einat Even-Sapir MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detectors are novel semi-solid detectors recently introduced in nuclear medicine as an alternative to routine NaI(Tl) detectors, potentially improving the energy and spatial resolution of scintigraphic images. Initial experience with this new generation of detectors includes heart and breast scintigraphy. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of Tc-MDP bone scan (BS) using dual-head CZT gamma –camera with conventional gamma- camera with routine detectors.

After getting an informed consent, hands of seven patients, mean age 39 years (range 17-63) were imaged with each of the cameras two hours after injection of 740 MBq 99mTc- MDP. Referral indications for BS were trauma (n=6) and pain (n=1) in hands. None had radiographically identified fracture. Two nuclear medicine experts reported the images considering the number of scintigraphic lesions and their anatomic localization

The number of scintigraphic lesions identified using CZT camera was 28 compared with 15 identified using conventional camera. On images obtained by CZT camera, delineation of the affected bone was improved in all patients. Differentiation between joint abnormality and abnormality of the adjacent bone was obtained by CZT images in three patients. In 5 of the 6 patients with trauma, BS identified an occult fracture. In two of these patients CZT images identified additional post-traumatic sites. Based on the findings on CZT study, scintigraphic diagnosis was altered in 4 patients.

The results of this pilot study suggest improved diagnostic accuracy of BS acquired using a camera composed of CZT detectors. Further analysis in a larger group of patients is indicated.  

Improved lesion  detection of bone abnormality using CZT gamma camera for bone scintigraphy

Cohenpour, M, Aron, A, Lerman, H, Even-Sapir, E, Bone Scintigraphy with a Dual-Head Cadmium Zinc Telluride Gamma Camera: A Pilot Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11008915.html