Operational and Performance Experience with uMI550 Digital PET-CT during Routine Quality Control Procedures.

The quality control (QC) procedures for positron emission tomography (PET) scanners are covered by National Electrical Manufacturers Association and International Electrotechnical Commission. QC must be carried out at regular intervals according to the specifications of the scanner manufacturer. Daily and weekly QC plays a valuable role in monitoring positron emission tomography (PET) scanner performance changes. This study shares operational and performance experience of QC procedures that do not require a radioactive Ge-68 source to perform daily QC and experience with fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ( F-FDG) as a substitute for germanium-68/sodium-22 (Ge-68/Na-22) source for weekly QC.  This study was performed on an uMI550 digital positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanner. In this scanner daily QC checks system temperature and humidity, system count rate, data link status, and voltage. QC was performed at the console control, the position of the scanner table was in the home position pulled out from the gantry, and the room was closed during the quick QC. Weekly full QC check items include look-up table drift, energy drift, time-of-flight status, C-map status, temperature and humidity, and voltage. Weekly full QC was performed with a F-FDG source in a rod phantom source.  Over 200 daily QC tests without a radioactive source Ge-68 phantom and 50 full weekly QC tests using a F-FDG rod phantom were performed with this scanner according to the manufacturer's instructions and a test report was generated. No daily QC errors or warnings were observed during this period.  The new approach for the daily PET QC does not expose operators to radiation. This translates into commercial and operational merits with consistent performance and results.  Reduction in radiation exposure to operating staff during QC procedure in PET-CT scanner.