99m-Tc MDP Bone Scan Image Enhancement using Pipeline Application of Dynamic Stochastic Resonance Algorithm and Block-Matching 3D Filter.

Introduction: In this pilot study, we have proposed and evaluated pipelined application of the dynamic stochastic resonance (DSR) algorithm and block-matching 3D (BM3D) filter for the enhancement of nuclear medicine images. The enhanced images out of the pipeline were compared with the corresponding enhanced images obtained using individual applications of and algorithm.

Materials And Methods: Twenty 99m-Tc MDP bone scan images acquired on SymbiaT6 SPECT/CT gamma camera system fitted with low-energy high-resolution collimators were exported in format to a personal computer and converted into format. These images were processed using the proposed algorithm in . Two nuclear medicine physicians visually compared each input and its corresponding three enhanced images to select the best-enhanced image. The image quality metrics (, , (CPP), and ) were used to assess the image quality objectively. The Wilcoxon signed test was applied to find a statistically significant difference in , of enhanced and its input images at a level of significance.

Results: Images enhanced using the pipelined application of SR and BM3D were selected as the best images by both nuclear medicine physicians. Based on , (GCF), CPP, and , the image quality of our proposed pipeline was significantly better than enhanced images obtained using individual applications of and algorithm. The proposed method was found to be very successful in enhancing details in the low count region of input images. The enhanced images were bright, smooth, and had better target-to-background ratio compared to input images.

Conclusion: The pipelined application of and algorithm produced enhancement in nuclear medicine images having following characteristics: bright, smooth, better target-to-background ratio, and improved visibility of details in the low count regions of the input image, as compared to individual enhancements by application of or algorithm.