Data-driven image-based protocol for brain PET image harmonization

Eva Rebec (Avtor), Urban Simončič (Avtor)

Povzetek

Quantitative FDG-PET brain imaging across multiple centers is challenged by inter-scanner variability, impacting the comparability of neuroimaging data. This study proposes a data-driven image-based harmonization protocol to address these discrepancies without relying on traditional phantom scans. The protocol uses spatially normalized FDG-PET brain images to estimate scanner-specific Gaussian smoothing filters, optimizing parameters via the structural similarity index (SSIM). Validation was performed using images from cognitively normal individuals and Alzheimer’s disease patients from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Results demonstrated robust harmonization at moderate target resolutions (8 and 10 mm FWHM), with filter estimates consistently within 1.2 mm of phantom-derived ground truths. However, at higher resolutions (6 mm FWHM), discrepancies reached up to 3 mm, reflecting reduced accuracy. These deviations were particularly evident for high-resolution scanners like HRRT, likely due to elevated noise levels and smaller sample sizes. The presented harmonization method effectively reduces inter-scanner variability in retrospective FDG-PET studies, especially valuable when phantom scans are unavailable. Nonetheless, the current limitations at finer resolutions underline the necessity for methodological refinements to meet the demands of evolving high-resolution PET imaging technologies.

Ključne besede

medicinska fizika;medicinsko slikanje;FDG-PET;slikanje možganov;medical physics;medical imaging;positron emission tomography;brain imaging;

Podatki

Jezik:	Angleški jezik
Leto izida:	2025
Tipologija:	1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
Organizacija:	UL FMF - Fakulteta za matematiko in fiziko
UDK:	616-073:53
COBISS:	243679491
ISSN:	1424-8220
Št. ogledov:	102
Št. prenosov:	44
Ocena:	0 (0 glasov)
Metapodatki:

Ostali podatki

Sekundarni jezik:	Slovenski jezik
Sekundarne ključne besede:	medicinska fizika;medicinsko slikanje;FDG-PET;slikanje možganov;
Vrsta dela (COBISS):	Članek v reviji
Strani:	17 str.
Letnik:	ǂVol. ǂ25
Zvezek:	ǂiss. ǂ13, art. no. 4230
Čas izdaje:	Jul. 2025
DOI:	10.3390/s25134230
ID:	26875272