Renal dynamic phantom for use in spect

Abstract

Quality control of nuclear medicine is performed through the use of phantoms during the processes necessary for consummation of quality control tests. Ideally, a specific phantom is employed for each type of procedure. Dynamic renal scintigraphy using DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) is labeled with technetium-99m. This renal radiopharmaceutical tracer allows evaluation of the dynamics of renal blood flow and its symmetry, the topography and morphology of the kidneys, and the passage of the radiopharmaceutical through the urinary tract to the bladder until arrival. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the performance of a renal dynamic phantom, for use in SPECT. An adult human kidney was used for making the mold, ensuring phantom geometry. It was used alginate for the manufacture of the shaped form of the kidneys. Following preparation, the acrylic kidney was connected to the top of each kidney with one injection pump connected to a reservoir. To perform the flow, the phantom is controlled with injection pumps. The electrical system controls how long each pump is in operation. Changes of the operating time of the pump at different flow rates imply elimination of the radioisotope, allowing it obtain various forms of disposal. The renal dynamic phantom was constructed of acrylic and included injection pumps to simulate renal dynamics in scintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA. This phantom was scanned with a dynamic protocol and compared with clinical data. Using this phantom it is possible to acquire similar renal images as in clinical scintigraphy, including the response of the imaging system to the form of a renogram with normal renal scintigraphic appearance. Moreover, it is expected to perform intercomparisons between different renograms scintillation cameras and nuclear medicine clinics. Therefore, the dynamic renal phantoms can be very effective for use in the quality control of renal scintigraphy and image processing systems.