Table 1 Routine PET quality control testing; daily, weekly and quarterly
From: Understanding the importance of quality control and quality assurance in preclinical PET/CT imaging
Test | Purpose | Frequency | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Physical inspection | General check | Daily | Checking for mechanical or other defects that can lead to system failures |
Background count rate | Detection of excessive electronic noise | Daily | Comparison to baseline/reference value |
Detector check | Functional check of detectors/blocks | Daily | Call service if a detector block failed |
Energy resolution | Verification of the systems energy resolution by summing the energy spectra of the individual detectors/blocks | Quarterly | Repeat calibration if the energy resolution is greater than the acceptance test measured energy resolution; photopeak verification of each detector/block to check if it correctly matches the 511 keV value |
Pixel identification | Verification of correctly assigned pixels to the corresponding scintillating element | Quarterly | If mismatch is detected, repeat pixel identification |
Sensitivity-quantitative | Evaluation of the systems sensitivity | Quarterly | Follow test procedures as described in the NU 4-2008 performance manual |
Spatial resolution | Evaluation of the systems spatial resolution | Quarterly | Follow test procedures as described in the NU 4-2008 performance manual |
Image quality (Uniformity, recovery coefficients, spillover ratios) | Determine uniformity, recovery coefficients, spillover ratios | Quarterly | Follow test procedures as described in the NU 4-2008 performance manual |
Attenuation and scatter correction | Determine effectiveness of attenuation and scatter correction | Quarterly | Follow test procedures as described in the NU 4-2008 performance manual |