Principles of SPECT and PET scans MCQs Radiology

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 14, 2024

1. The primary principle behind SPECT imaging is:
a) Detection of gamma rays emitted from a radiotracer
b) Detection of positrons emitted from a radiotracer
c) Measurement of X-ray attenuation
d) Measurement of magnetic resonance signals
Answer: a) Detection of gamma rays emitted from a radiotracer

2. In PET imaging, the radiotracer used is typically:
a) A positron-emitting isotope
b) A gamma-ray emitting isotope
c) An X-ray absorbing material
d) A magnetic resonance contrast agent
Answer: a) A positron-emitting isotope

3. SPECT imaging provides information about:
a) The distribution of gamma-emitting tracers in the body
b) The distribution of positron-emitting tracers in the body
c) The anatomical structure of tissues
d) The magnetic properties of tissues
Answer: a) The distribution of gamma-emitting tracers in the body

4. PET imaging is particularly useful for:
a) Evaluating metabolic activity and function
b) Imaging bone structure
c) Assessing tissue density
d) Analyzing blood flow
Answer: a) Evaluating metabolic activity and function

5. The main advantage of PET over SPECT is:
a) Higher spatial resolution
b) Higher sensitivity to gamma rays
c) Lower radiation dose
d) Better tissue contrast
Answer: a) Higher spatial resolution

6. SPECT scanners typically use:
a) Rotating gamma cameras
b) Rotating X-ray tubes
c) Static magnetic fields
d) Positron detectors
Answer: a) Rotating gamma cameras

7. In PET imaging, the annihilation photons are:
a) Detected by coincidence detection
b) Detected by single photon emission
c) Absorbed by the detector
d) Reflected by the detector
Answer: a) Detected by coincidence detection

8. A common radiotracer used in PET scans is:
a) Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
b) Technetium-99m
c) Iodine-123
d) Gallium-67
Answer: a) Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

9. The spatial resolution of PET scans is generally:
a) Higher than SPECT
b) Lower than SPECT
c) Equivalent to SPECT
d) Unrelated to SPECT
Answer: a) Higher than SPECT

10. The main component of a SPECT scanner is:
a) Gamma camera
b) PET detector ring
c) MRI coil
d) CT scanner
Answer: a) Gamma camera

11. The main source of radiation in PET imaging is:
a) Positron-emitting radiotracer
b) Gamma-ray emitting radiotracer
c) X-ray tube
d) MRI magnet
Answer: a) Positron-emitting radiotracer

12. The principle of attenuation correction in PET scans involves:
a) Adjusting for tissue density variations
b) Filtering out background noise
c) Correcting for patient movement
d) Enhancing signal-to-noise ratio
Answer: a) Adjusting for tissue density variations

13. The SPECT scan acquires images:
a) By detecting gamma rays emitted from multiple angles
b) By detecting positrons emitted from a single angle
c) By measuring tissue density
d) By analyzing magnetic resonance signals
Answer: a) By detecting gamma rays emitted from multiple angles

14. PET imaging is often used in oncology to:
a) Identify cancerous lesions and assess their activity
b) Determine bone density
c) Evaluate heart function
d) Measure brain activity
Answer: a) Identify cancerous lesions and assess their activity

15. The main advantage of using Technetium-99m in SPECT is:
a) Its ideal half-life and gamma emission characteristics
b) Its positron emission properties
c) Its high cost and short half-life
d) Its strong magnetic properties
Answer: a) Its ideal half-life and gamma emission characteristics

16. In PET scans, the radiotracer commonly used for brain imaging is:
a) Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
b) Technetium-99m
c) Iodine-123
d) Gallium-67
Answer: a) Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

17. The “collimator” in SPECT imaging is used to:
a) Restrict the direction of incoming gamma rays
b) Detect positron emission
c) Create high-resolution images
d) Measure magnetic fields
Answer: a) Restrict the direction of incoming gamma rays

18. PET scans are able to detect:
a) Metabolic changes at a cellular level
b) Bone fractures and density
c) Muscle tissue abnormalities
d) Electrical activity of the heart
Answer: a) Metabolic changes at a cellular level

19. The main limitation of SPECT imaging compared to PET is:
a) Lower spatial resolution
b) Higher radiation dose
c) Limited availability of radiotracers
d) Poorer tissue contrast
Answer: a) Lower spatial resolution

20. The basic concept of PET involves:
a) Detection of coincident annihilation photons
b) Measurement of gamma rays from a single source
c) Detection of X-rays passing through the body
d) Analysis of magnetic resonance signals
Answer: a) Detection of coincident annihilation photons

21. The primary use of PET imaging is to assess:
a) Metabolic activity and function of organs
b) Bone structure and density
c) Tissue damage from trauma
d) Anatomical changes in the body
Answer: a) Metabolic activity and function of organs

22. SPECT imaging is used to evaluate:
a) Cardiac perfusion
b) Bone density
c) Brain activity
d) Liver function
Answer: a) Cardiac perfusion

23. In PET imaging, the resolution is improved by:
a) Using detectors in a ring configuration
b) Increasing the gamma ray emission
c) Using a single detector
d) Reducing the positron emission
Answer: a) Using detectors in a ring configuration

24. The main detector used in PET scanners is:
a) Scintillation crystal coupled with photomultiplier tubes
b) Gamma camera
c) X-ray tube
d) MRI coil
Answer: a) Scintillation crystal coupled with photomultiplier tubes

25. The primary benefit of using PET for oncology is:
a) Ability to measure metabolic activity and detect small lesions
b) High resolution of bone images
c) Low radiation dose
d) Excellent for imaging soft tissues
Answer: a) Ability to measure metabolic activity and detect small lesions

26. SPECT imaging can be used to evaluate:
a) Brain perfusion
b) Bone marrow function
c) Gastrointestinal bleeding
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

27. The principle of attenuation correction in SPECT imaging involves:
a) Adjusting for tissue absorption of gamma rays
b) Filtering background radiation
c) Enhancing image resolution
d) Correcting for patient movement
Answer: a) Adjusting for tissue absorption of gamma rays

28. The “photopeak” in SPECT imaging refers to:
a) The energy level of gamma rays detected from the radiotracer
b) The highest resolution achieved
c) The timing of photon detection
d) The energy of positrons emitted
Answer: a) The energy level of gamma rays detected from the radiotracer

29. The main limitation of PET imaging is:
a) High cost of equipment and radiotracers
b) Low spatial resolution
c) High radiation dose
d) Poor tissue contrast
Answer: a) High cost of equipment and radiotracers

30. The radioisotope used in PET imaging for cardiac studies is:
a) Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
b) Technetium-99m
c) Iodine-123
d) Gallium-67
Answer: a) Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

31. The main advantage of SPECT over conventional gamma imaging is:
a) Three-dimensional imaging capability
b) Higher resolution
c) Lower radiation dose
d) Better tissue contrast
Answer: a) Three-dimensional imaging capability

32. In PET scans, the process of “coincidence detection” involves:
a) Detecting two photons emitted simultaneously from annihilation events
b) Measuring single photon emissions
c) Filtering out background radiation
d) Detecting magnetic resonance signals
Answer: a) Detecting two photons emitted simultaneously from annihilation events

33. The “scintillation crystal” in PET scanners is used to:
a) Convert positron annihilation photons into visible light
b) Detect gamma rays
c) Measure X-ray attenuation
d) Enhance magnetic resonance signals
Answer: a) Convert positron annihilation photons into visible light

34. SPECT imaging is commonly used for:
a) Evaluating myocardial perfusion
b) Assessing brain function
c) Detecting metabolic disorders
d) Analyzing tissue contrast
Answer: a) Evaluating myocardial perfusion

35. The primary method of image reconstruction in PET involves:
a) Iterative algorithms
b) Fourier transforms
c) X-ray attenuation maps
d) Magnetic resonance imaging
Answer: a) Iterative algorithms

36. The key advantage of using Technetium-99m in SPECT is:
a) Its ideal physical characteristics for imaging
b) Its positron emission properties
c) Its use in MRI scans
d) Its high cost and short half-life
Answer: a) Its ideal physical characteristics for imaging

37. In PET scans, the radiotracer is injected into the patient to:
a) Accumulate in specific tissues based on metabolic activity
b) Block specific tissue signals
c) Enhance bone density
d) Measure electrical activity
Answer: a) Accumulate in specific tissues based on metabolic activity

38. The primary limitation of SPECT imaging is:
a) Lower spatial resolution compared to PET
b) High cost
c) Limited availability
d) Poor contrast resolution
Answer: a) Lower spatial resolution compared to PET

39. PET scans can be used to:
a) Detect early signs of cancer
b) Assess bone fractures
c) Measure muscle mass
d) Evaluate tissue density
Answer: a) Detect early signs of cancer

40. The radiotracer used in SPECT for thyroid imaging is:
a) Technetium-99m pertechnetate
b) Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
c) Iodine-123
d) Gallium-67
Answer: a) Technetium-99m pertechnetate

41. In PET imaging, the spatial resolution is improved by:
a) Using multiple detectors in a ring
b) Increasing the dose of radiotracer
c) Reducing the number of photons detected
d) Increasing the thickness of the scintillation crystals
Answer: a) Using multiple detectors in a ring

42. The primary advantage of PET scans in oncology is:
a) High sensitivity to detect small and early-stage tumors
b) High spatial resolution for bone imaging
c) Low radiation dose compared to CT
d) High contrast for soft tissues
Answer: a) High sensitivity to detect small and early-stage tumors

43. In SPECT imaging, the “collimator” is designed to:
a) Filter gamma rays to reduce scatter
b) Enhance the positron signal
c) Measure X-ray attenuation
d) Improve magnetic resonance signals
Answer: a) Filter gamma rays to reduce scatter

44. The term “attenuation correction” in PET imaging refers to:
a) Adjusting for the loss of photons due to tissue absorption
b) Enhancing the image contrast
c) Correcting for background noise
d) Measuring the patient’s movement
Answer: a) Adjusting for the loss of photons due to tissue absorption

45. The principle of “tomography” in PET imaging involves:
a) Creating cross-sectional images of the body
b) Measuring the magnetic properties of tissues
c) Analyzing the density of bones
d) Detecting single photons
Answer: a) Creating cross-sectional images of the body

46. SPECT imaging is often used in:
a) Cardiology to assess myocardial perfusion
b) Oncology for detecting tumors
c) Neurology for evaluating brain function
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

47. The primary application of SPECT imaging in neurology is to:
a) Assess cerebral blood flow and function
b) Evaluate bone density
c) Measure muscle activity
d) Detect early cancer signs
Answer: a) Assess cerebral blood flow and function

48. The “scintillation detector” in PET imaging is used to:
a) Convert photon energy into visible light
b) Measure magnetic fields
c) Detect X-ray attenuation
d) Analyze tissue density
Answer: a) Convert photon energy into visible light

49. The main purpose of using attenuation correction in PET scans is to:
a) Improve image quality and accuracy
b) Reduce radiation dose
c) Enhance bone imaging
d) Measure muscle density
Answer: a) Improve image quality and accuracy

50. The “detection ring” in PET scanners is used to:
a) Detect annihilation photons from various angles
b) Filter gamma rays from a single source
c) Measure magnetic resonance signals
d) Analyze X-ray attenuation
Answer: a) Detect annihilation photons from various angles

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