%0 Journal Article
%T β1600 Q.Clear Digital Reconstruction of [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT Improves Image Quality in NET Patients.
%A Di Franco M
%A Fortunati E
%A Zanoni L
%A Bonazzi N
%A Mosconi C
%A Malizia C
%A Civollani S
%A Campana D
%A Andrini E
%A Lamberti G
%A Allegri V
%A Fanti S
%A Ambrosini V
%J J Clin Med
%V 13
%N 13
%D 2024 Jun 29
%M 38999406
%F 4.964
%R 10.3390/jcm13133841
%X Background: Image reconstruction is crucial for improving overall image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Q.Clear is a novel reconstruction algorithm that reduces image noise. The aim of the present study is to assess the preferred Q.Clear β-level for digital [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT reconstruction vs. standard reconstruction (STD) for both overall scan and single-lesion visualization. Methods: Inclusion criteria: (1) patients with/suspected neuroendocrine tumors included in a prospective observational monocentric study between September 2019 and January 2022; (2) [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC digital PET/CT and contrast-enhanced-CT (ceCT) performed at our center at the same time. Images were reconstructed with STD and with Q.Clear β-levels 800, 1000, and 1600. Scans were blindly reviewed by three nuclear-medicine experts: the preferred β-level reconstruction was independently chosen for the visual quality of both the overall scan and the most avid target lesion < 1 cm (t) and >1 cm (T). PET/CT results were compared to ceCT. Semiquantitative analysis was performed (STD vs. β1600) in T and t concordant at both PET/CT and ceCT. Subgroup analysis was also performed in patients presenting discordant t. Results: Overall, 52 patients were included. β1600 reconstruction was considered superior over the others for both overall scan quality and single-lesion detection in all cases. The only significantly different (p < 0.001) parameters between β1600 and STD were signal-to-noise liver ratio and standard deviation of the liver background. Lesion-dependent parameters were not significantly different in concordant T (n = 37) and t (n = 10). Among 26 discordant t, when PET was positive, all findings were confirmed as malignant. Conclusions: β1600 Q.Clear reconstruction for [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC imaging is feasible and improves image quality for both overall and small-lesion assessment.