Facilitating Multi-Center Consistency in PET/CT Assessment: Transferability and Harmonization of 3D-Printed Phantom Inserts
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Objective
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is widely explored to build cost effective, customizable and realistic phantoms in medical imaging but their adaptability across facilities is under explored. Evidence on applicability of standardization protocols and quantitative metrics of positron emission tomography (PET) to printed phantoms is minimal. This study aims to evaluate the harmonization and transferability of one such 3D printed phantom design across two facilities.
Approach
Phantom inserts (40mm) featured with spherical targets (0, 10, 15, and 20 mm) following a prior common design, were fabricated at two different facilities using fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers and positioned within a Jaszczak cylinder phantom, filled with radiotracer and soap/water solution. Acquisitions were performed using two PET/CT systems on different days with common protocols. Quantitative metrics, including Hounsfield Units (HU), Recovery Coefficient (RC) and TBR were extracted and statistically analysed to assess the influence of facility, scanner, and acquisition day.
Main Results
CT images revealed minor differences across facilities and scanners, with notable HU improvement upon prolonged immersion. HU mean showed significant differences for facility (p = 0.002) and acquisition day (p < 0.001), but not scanner (p = 0.87). PET images successfully captured contrasts and targets. Average TBR Max (mean±std. dev.) were 1.86 ± 0.03 (expected 2.0), 2.35 ± 0.05 (expected 2.5), and 3.10 ± 0.05 (expected 3.33). RC Max and RC Mean were similarly evaluated. No statistical differences were found for TBR Max , RC Mean , or RC Max (p ≥ 0.07 for Mann Whitney; p ≥ 0.57 for Friedman) and bland-altman mean bias < 10%, though wilcoxon post-hoc tests identified few outliers.
Significance
Our study demonstrates that a simple shared design file allows for easily reproducible 3D-printed phantoms, with consistency in PET quantitative metrics. This establishes crucial transferability and standardization, offering a new, easy way to share robust phantom designs globally.
