Performance characteristics of the 5-ring GE Discovery MI PET/CT scanner using AAPM TG-126 report.

AIM: To report on the performance characteristics of the 5-ring GE Discovery MI PET/CT systems using the AAPM TG-126 report and compare these results to NEMA NU 2-2012 where applicable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TG-126 testing was performed on two GE 5-Rings Discovery MI scanners. Tests performed included spatial resolution, PET/CT image-registration accuracy, sensitivity, count rate performance, accuracy of corrections, image contrast, scatter/attenuation correction, and image uniformity. All acquired data were analyzed using scanner console or free software tools as described by TG-126 and the results were then compared to published NEMA NU 2-2012 values. RESULTS: Both scanners gave similar resolution results for TG-126 and NEMA NU 2-2012 and were within manufacturer specifications. Image-registration accuracy between PET and CT using our clinical protocol showed excellent results with values ≤1 mm. Sensitivity using TG-126 was 19.43 cps/kBq while for NEMA the value was 20.73 cps/kBq. The peak noise-equivalent counting rate was 2174 kcps at 63.1 kBq/mL and is not comparable to NEMA NU 2-2012 due to differences in phantoms and methods used to measure and calculate this parameter. The accuracy of corrections for count losses for TG-126 were expressed in SUV values and found to be within 10% of the expected SUV measurement of 1. Image contrast and scatter/attenuation correction using the TG-126 method gave acceptable results. Image uniformity assessment resulted in values within the recommended ± 5% limits. CONCLUSION: These results show that the 5-ring GE Discovery MI PET/CT scanner testing using TG-126 is reproducible and has similar results to NEMA NU 2-2012 tests where applicable. We hope these results start to form the basis to compare PET/CT systems using TG-126.

Prevalence and incidence of osteoarthritis among people living in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease affecting joints with an increasing prevalence around the world and in the Middle East region. Research about the prevalence/incidence of OA in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was limited with inconsistent findings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis for studies reporting the prevalence/incidence of OA among people living in the GCC countries. A comprehensive search was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception to December 2020 to identify eligible studies examining the prevalence/incidence of OA in the GCC countries. Meta-analysis was conducted, and the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies was utilized to evaluate methodological quality. Thirteen studies were included (12 studies reported prevalence and one study reported incidence), with a total of 24,625 participants with an estimated overall prevalence of 16.13% and incidence of 3.5% of OA in the GCC countries. The quality of the included studies was unsatisfactory (six studies), satisfactory (six studies), and good quality (one study). Common risk factors were being older adult, female, obese, and having lower scores for quality of life. This study shows a high prevalence of OA among individuals living in the GCC countries at approximately 16.13%. Only one study reported incidence of 3.5% of OA in this population. This prevalence rate needs to be confirmed in future research with a similar population and at the site of joint OA levels. Common risk factors should be interpreted with caution since only a few studies reported risk factors. Key Points • The pooled prevalence of Osteoarthritis in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries was 16.13% based on 12 included studies.