Accuracy of Dose Calibrators for 68Ga PET Imaging: Unexpected Findings in a Multicenter Clinical Pretrial Assessment.

We report the discovery of a systematic miscalibration during the work-up process for site validation of a multicenter clinical PET imaging trial using 68Ga, which manifested as a consistent and reproducible underestimation in the quantitative accuracy (assessed by SUV) of a range of PET systems from different manufacturers at several different facilities around Australia. Methods: Sites were asked to follow a strict preparation protocol to create a radioactive phantom with 68Ga to be imaged using a standard clinical protocol before commencing imaging in the trial. All sites had routinely used 68Ga for clinical PET imaging for many years. The reconstructed image data were transferred to an imaging core laboratory for analysis, along with information about ancillary equipment such as the radionuclide dose calibrator. Fourteen PET systems were assessed from 10 nuclear medicine facilities in Australia, with the aim for each PET system being to produce images within 5% of the true SUV. Results: At initial testing, 10 of the 14 PET systems underestimated the SUV by 15% on average (range, 13%-23%). Multiple PET systems at one site, from two different manufacturers, were all similarly affected, suggesting a common cause. We eventually identified an incorrect factory-shipped dose calibrator setting from a single manufacturer as being the cause. The calibrator setting for 68Ga was subsequently adjusted by the users so that the reconstructed images produced accurate values. Conclusion: PET imaging involves a chain of measurements and calibrations to produce accurate quantitative performance. Testing of the entire chain is simple, however, and should form part of any quality assurance program or prequalifying site assessment before commencing a quantitative imaging trial or clinical imaging.

Results of the CCRI(II)-S12.H-3 supplementary comparison: Comparison of methods for the calculation of the activity and standard uncertainty of a tritiated-water source measured using the LSC-TDCR method.

A comparison of calculations of the activity of a 3H2O liquid scintillation source using the same experimental data set collected at the LNE-LNHB with a triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) counter was completed. A total of 17 laboratories calculated the activity and standard uncertainty of the LS source using the files with experimental data provided by the LNE-LNHB. The results as well as relevant information on the computation techniques are presented and analysed in this paper. All results are compatible, even if there is a significant dispersion between the reported uncertainties. An output of this comparison is the estimation of the dispersion of TDCR measurement results when measurement conditions are well defined.

Preparation and use of standards for a comparison exercise among users of (131)I capsules in South Africa.

(131)I is widely used as a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical and for radiotherapy in the treatment of thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. Radionuclide/Dose calibrators are used to measure activities for administering to patients. To check the accuracy of calibrators operated by South African nuclear medicine facilities, comparison exercises were conducted among users of (131)I capsules. An (131)I solution was standardized by liquid scintillation counting using the absolute 4pibeta-gamma coincidence extrapolation technique. The standardization was transferred to the nml ionization chamber for the geometry of 3.6 ml of solution in a 5 ml glass ampoule. Using this calibration, an ionization chamber calibration factor was determined for (131)I capsules. Two comparison exercises were conducted, one year apart. For each one, four (131)I capsules were calibrated using the previously determined calibration factor. These capsule standards were sent to different provinces in South Africa where they were measured by all participating facilities. The results indicated that more than 90% of the participants showed deviations from the certified value of less than 10%.