2016 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 122-124
Cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) solid-state detectors have recently been introduced to myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. In this camera system, the conventional sodium iodide crystals have been replaced by CZT semiconductors, which directly convert radiation into electric signals. The energy resolution and spatial resolution have been significantly improved and the reduction of the acquisition time or radiotracer dose has been reported based on several studies. Two types of CZT camera system have been introduced in Japan: Discovery NM530c (GE Healthcare, Haifa, Israel) and D-SPECT (Spectrum Dynamics, Caesarea, Israel). With these new semiconductor systems, various study protocols for stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) have been developed in Japanese institutions using different radioisotopes such as thallium-201 or technetium-99m radiotracers. In addition, not only quality of SPECT image but also diagnostic performance of this ultrafast camera system for Japanese patients has been evaluated.
