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International Journal of Radiology & Medical Imaging Volume 2 (2016), Article ID 2:IJRMI-113, 12 pages
https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-446X/2016/113
Review Article
Cardiac SPECT/CT Imaging: CT Attenuation Correction and SPECT/CT Hybrid Imaging

Yoshimitsu Fukushima* and Shin-ichiro Kumita

Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School Hospital, 1-1-5, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ward, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
Dr. Yoshimitsu Fukushima, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School Hospital, 1-1-5, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ward, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan, Tel: +81-3-3822-2131; E-mail: fuku@nms.ac.jp
30 January 2016; 20 July 2016; 22 July 2016
Fukushima Y, Kumita S (2016) Cardiac SPECT/CT Imaging: CT Attenuation Correction and SPECT/CT Hybrid Imaging. Int J Radiol Med Imag 2: 113. doi: https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-446X/2016/113

Abstract

Cardiac single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging is facilitated by the dissemination of SPECT/CT hybrid systems and dedicated image fusion software. The combined approach of SPECT and CT has various advantages when compared with stand-alone imaging. CT attenuation correction can correct attenuation artifacts in myocardial SPECT and improves diagnostic accuracy for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Cardiac SPECT/CT hybrid imaging allows detection of coronary artery stenoses and abnormalities in myocardial perfusion and fatty-acid metabolism in patients with cardiac disease. It has been reported that this modality improves diagnostic accuracy in the detection of CAD compared to the individual imaging techniques. Furthermore, this approach facilitates the detection of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenoses and the management of revascularization procedures. These abilities of cardiac hybrid SPECT/CT imaging will be further refined validating a range of clinical applications in large-scale clinical trials.