Optimisation of scanning with CZT Gamma Cameras
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimisation of scanning with CZT Gamma Cameras to improve the detection of metastatic spread to the bone in a prostate and breast cancers.
IRAS ID
276020
Contact name
Christopher Marshall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 11 days
Research summary
Nuclear Medicine uses radioactive pharmaceuticals for patient diagnosis. It provides additional information compared to other modalities as it provides functional information rather than imaging anatomy. Traditionally, analogue gamma cameras have used sodium iodide (NaI) crystals to convert the gamma ray signal from the radioactive pharmaceutical to an electric signal which is used to create the image. However, new digital gamma cameras using CZT (Cadmium Zinc Telluride) crystals have recently been introduced. Digital gamma cameras have superior imaging capabilities, potentially allowing the reduction of scanning time and reduction in the patient radiation dose.\n\nHowever, these gains may be offset by reduction in image quality as both parameters reduce. However, maximising image quality has the potential to identify patients with metastatic prostate and breast cancer which would not have been identified using analogue scanners. \n\nThe aim of this study is to optimise the bone imaging of prostate and breast cancer patients with the new technology with regards to scan time, patient dose and image quality to enable the benefits of this new technology to be realised. The findings of the study will also be applicable to other cancers where isotope bone scanning is used in staging.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
20/NS/0089
Date of REC Opinion
7 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion