Module 13a. Low Dose CT with Cardiac PET Perfusion-Low Dose CT with Cardiac PET Perfusion (Slides)

Low Dose CT with Cardiac PET Perfusion (Slides)

Pdf Summary

This document is Module 13a of a PET Perfusion Imaging training module. It discusses the use of low-dose CT with cardiac PET perfusion imaging. The module covers topics such as the differences between CT and line source PET attenuation, the value of visually estimated coronary artery calcium scoring, the limitations of low dose CT attenuation maps, and the relevant cardiovascular diagnoses that can be made from them. It also provides information on the acquisition techniques, processing and quality control, interpretation, and reporting of low dose CT with cardiac PET perfusion. <br /><br />The module explains that cardiac PET can be performed on either dedicated PET scanners or hybrid PET-CT scanners, which use CT for attenuation correction. It emphasizes the importance of acquiring low radiation dose CT attenuation maps and keeping radiation dose as low as possible. The document further explains that the diagnostic content of the attenuation maps can be inspected for findings such as pleural effusions, hiatal hernias, and lung cancers. It also provides HCPCS codes for different types of myocardial imaging studies performed with PET, including metabolic evaluation and perfusion studies. <br /><br />The module highlights the diagnostic and prognostic value of combining myocardial perfusion imaging with a coronary artery calcium score, which can be estimated from the low dose CT attenuation map. It also mentions the importance of inspecting the CT attenuation map for other relevant findings such as coronary calcifications, thoracic aortic calcifications, aortic aneurysms, and pericardial effusions. The document provides examples of various cardiovascular and pulmonary abnormalities that can be identified on the CT attenuation map, including lung masses, pleural effusions, and diaphragm paralysis. It emphasizes that cardiologists should make these cardiovascular diagnoses and suggests reporting relevant CT findings in the study summary.

Keywords

PET Perfusion Imaging

low-dose CT

cardiac PET perfusion imaging

CT and line source PET attenuation

visually estimated coronary artery calcium scoring

limitations of low dose CT attenuation maps

acquisition techniques

radiation dose

myocardial imaging studies

cardiovascular diagnoses