DECONVOLUTION OF COMPTON SCATTER IN SPECT

Abstract

A deconvolution algorithm was developed which compensates for Compton scattering in SPECT [single photon emission computed tomography] images. Compton scatter is modeled as a convolution of the nonscattered projection data with an exponential function. Deconvolution of the total (scatter + nonscatter) projection data yields compensated true projection. Using Monte Carlo methods, the scattered and nonscattered components of a SPECT image are simulated, thus, allowing a comparison of scatter compensated results with direct nonscatter results. The quality of the compensation is evaluated by comparing the ratio of total to direct counts with the ratio of compensated to direct counts. This deconvolution tecnhique was developed and evaluated for experimentally acquired SPECT data as well as for simulated data.