Assessment of Goals and Obstacles in Data Acquisition and Analysis from Emission Tomography: Report of a Series of International Workshops

Abstract

All groups currently utilizing both single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography were surveyed in an effort to identify problems and potential solutions associated with data acquisition and analysis from these modalities. The results of these surveys indicated a need for an assessment of the problems and was followed by a series of international workshops, resulting in this report. Five specific areas of need were defined: physics, quality control, biomathematics, neuroanatomy, and computer science. Position papers identifying problems for the first three disciplines are included in this report, along with a recommendation for the organization of advisory boards to establish guidelines and to seek and disseminate information within these disciplines. Anatomical questions were substantially more difficult and will require a concerted experimental effort to further define the problems and validate potential solutions. Five subareas of the anatomical question are discussed in separate position papers. It was recommended that an anatomical data base obtained from magnetic resonance images be established and that this data base be used to validate the various functional image analysis schemes either currently in use or proposed for future application. Continuing and ongoing input will be necessary to sustain the efforts put forth in this document and to refine methods in parallel with our increasing knowledge and advancing technology. The capacity to objectively compare and exchange emission tomographic data collected by the resultant methods should justify the efforts and interest in these important issues.