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The impact of different bone tracers and acquisition times on image quality of equine bone scintigraphy.

Abstract: The impact of different acquisition times (AqT) and technetium-99 m-labeled ( Tc) diphosphonates on the image quality of bone scintigraphy is poorly documented in horses. The aim of this prospective experimental study was to evaluate the impact of varying Tc-disphosphonates and AqT on semiquantitative and qualitative image parameters of bone scintigraphy in horses. Twenty-four horses undergoing bone scintigraphy were divided equally and randomly into methylene- (MDP), hydroxymethylene- (HDP), and dicarboxypropane diphosphonate (DPD) groups. Lateral scintigraphic images of the antebrachium were obtained 3 h post TC-diphosphonate injection using three AqT (60, 90, 120 s). The images were analyzed semiquantitatively using the bone-soft tissue ratio (B:ST), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and image contrast. Furthermore, a blinded qualitative analysis was performed using a visual grading analysis. The results showed that DPD images had a significantly higher B:ST ratio than MDP images (P  .08). However, DPD and HPD images acquired at 60 s had significantly higher CNR (P < .05) than those acquired at 90 and 120 s. The qualitative analysis revealed no significant differences between Tc-diphosphonates at AqT 60 and 90 s. However, MDP images acquired at 120 s had significantly lower image quality compared to DPD and HDP (P = .01 and .03, respectively). In conclusion, the bone tracers affected the semiquantitative image parameters but not the qualitative analysis findings. Increasing AqT did not necessarily improve the image quality. Therefore, decreasing the AqT enabled a reduction in personnel radiation exposure.
Publication Date: 2022-06-06 PubMed ID: 35666549DOI: 10.1111/vru.13107Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Veterinary
  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research aims to examine how varying acquisition times and different technetium-99 m-labeled ( Tc) diphosphonates affect the image quality in equine bone scintigraphy. The study finds that these bone tracers influence the semiquantitative image parameters but not the results from qualitative analysis — also, shortening acquisition time can reduce exposure to radiation without damaging image quality.

Introduction

The study aims to evaluate the influence of different types of technetium-99 m-labeled diphosphonates and various acquisition times (AqT) on image quality in bone scintigraphy for horses. For this study, the researchers use several techniques, including semiquantitative and qualitative image parameters.

Methodology

  • 24 horses undergoing bone scintigraphy were recruited for the study. The group was divided into three subsets, each assigned a different type of diphosphonate: methylene- (MDP), hydroxymethylene- (HDP), and dicarboxypropane diphosphonate (DPD).
  • Lateral scintigraphic images of the antebrachium were taken 3 hours after the TC-diphosphonate injection, capturing images at three different AqT (60, 90, 120 s).
  • The images were analyzed using the bone-soft tissue ratio (B:ST), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and image contrast for semiquantitative analysis, while visual grading analysis was used for qualitative analysis.

Results

  • DPD images showed a significantly higher B:ST ratio than MDP images, while there was no significant difference compared with HDP images, regardless of AqT.
  • DPD and HPD images captured at an AqT of 60 s had significantly higher CNR than those collected at 90 and 120 s.
  • Qualitative analysis revealed no significant differences between Tc-diphosphonates at AqT 60 and 90 s.
  • MDP images taken at 120 s had significantly lower image quality compared to DPD and HDP images.

Conclusions

The study concluded that the types of diphosphonates used can influence the semiquantitative image parameters. However, they don’t make a significant impact on the findings of qualitative image analysis. The research also suggested that an increase in the acquisition time doesn’t necessarily improve the image quality. This implies that reducing acquisition time could effectively lower radiation exposure without sacrificing the quality of the image.

Cite This Article

APA
Mageed M, Dyab S, Swagemakers JH, Gerlach K. (2022). The impact of different bone tracers and acquisition times on image quality of equine bone scintigraphy. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 63(5), 593-600. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13107

Publication

ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 5
Pages: 593-600

Researcher Affiliations

Mageed, Mahmoud
  • Tierklinik Lüsche GmbH, Bakum, Germany.
Dyab, Shahlaa
    Swagemakers, Jan-Hein
    • Tierklinik Lüsche GmbH, Bakum, Germany.
    Gerlach, Kerstin
    • Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Diphosphonates
    • Horses
    • Organotechnetium Compounds
    • Prospective Studies
    • Radionuclide Imaging
    • Random Allocation
    • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

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