Evaluation and image quality in radiation-based medical imaging

In this chapter, we present methods for assessing image quality in radiation-based medical imaging. Image quality is defined by the ability of an observer to perform a relevant task using the images or data generated by an imaging system. The techniques presented in this chapter may be used to assess the utility of imaging hardware or to fine-tune the processing of image data into reconstructed images. Special attention is paid to nuclear-medicine imaging, but X-ray-based imaging systems are also considered.