IMPROVED TUMOR IMAGING IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE

The overall goal of this program project grant is earlier and more accurate
diagnosis of neoplastic lesions by means of nuclear imaging. Project I is
concerned with the development of novel modular scintillation cameras, which
will offer advantages over conventional Anger cameras in terms of spatial
resolution, count rate, and energy resolution. Project II is for continued
research into various kinds of coded apertures for gamma-ray image formation.
The emphasis here will be on obtaining true three-dimensional reconstructions.
Specific research will be performed on reconstruction algorithms, hybrid
digital-optical computers, the rotating slit aperture, the Fourier aperture, and
multiple pinhole apertures. Project III involves the use of miniature hand held
detector probes to achieve more accurate estimation of the extent of tumor at
the time of surgery. The hypothesis to be tested is that intraoperative use of
these probes can improve surgical oncological staging by identifying sites of
neoplastic involvement that are not clinically evident. Project IV will explore
some new ways to display 3D image data. Emphasis will be placed on an
interactive CRT display in which the user can tune back and forth through the
depth of the object. Project V comprises clinical and psychophysical evaluation
of the new techniques being developed in the other projects.