| Summary | Monte Carlo simulations are currently used a lot in SPECT and PET. Indeed, they make it possible to generate Prealistic PET and SPECT data the characteristics of which are fully known, including the activity and density distribution that yielded the simulated data, the detector response, and the history of the detected events. These simulated data are extremely useful both for a better understanding and analysis of quantitation issues, as well as for evaluating quantification procedures. There are currently about 10 Monte Carlo simulation codes appropriate for SPECT and PET simulations. However, these codes have only been partially described and, for most of them, have not been through a thorough validation process.
We are therefore proposing some "standard" description of the characteristics of any Monte Carlo code , that would already facilitate a theoretical comparison of the code. We are also trying to define a set of experiments that should be systematically performed and reported to validate a code, and to better give evidence of the strengths and weaknesses of each code. This work should finally help the potential users to determine which software is best suited to a specific application, as a function of the aim of the simulations. |
| Fundings | Partly by the Galileo project |
| Publications | - I. Buvat, I. Castiglioni. Monte Carlo methods in PET and SPECT. Quarterly J. Nucl. Med., 46:48-61, 2002. Article (PDF)
- I. Buvat. Toward a standardization of the description and validation of Monte Carlo simulation codes in SPECT and PET. J. Nucl. Med. 43, 207P, 2002. Poster (PDF) |
| More... | Connected project: Contribution to the design and validation of the GATE PET and SPECT Monte Carlo simulator
Other ressources regarding this project: mcnucmed Web site |
| Contacts | Irène Buvat : buvat@imed.jussieu.fr
Isabella Castiglioni, Milan : isabc@mednuc.hsr.it |