A SimSET-STIR hybrid Monte Carlo model for the Philips Vereos Digital PET

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an accurate simulation and reconstruction model for the Philips Vereos digital whole-body PET/CT scanner. The model was developed using the SimSET Monte Carlo (MC) simulation code, storing all detected photons in SimSET list-mode (LM) format (history files). LM processing, binning and image reconstruction were performed using STIR recently added LM capabilities. In order to accurately process the listmode files generated by SimSET, a new interface between SimSET and STIR was developed. The performance of our MC model was evaluated using the NEMA NU2-2012 standard. Spatial resolution was in good agreement with published results(±12%). Count-rate performance was accurate overall, with NEC rates accurate for both low (32.5% vs. 31.7% at ≈ 5 KBq/mL), and high counts (146.2 kcps vs 153.4 at ≈ 55 KBq/mL), and consistent prompts for all the activity concentrations. LM-MLEM reconstruction including scatter and attenuation correction was performed to validate the SimSET-STIR developed interface.