Cervical Spect Camera for Parathyroid Imaging

76303-Primary hyperparathyroidism, characterized by one or more enlarged parathyroid glands, has become one of the most common endocrine diseases in the world, affecting about 1 per 1000 in the United States. The standard treatment is a highly invasive neck surgery called ¿Parathyroidectomy,¿ which has a notable mortality rate because of its close proximity to vital structures. A less invasive parathyroidectomy is hampered by the lack of high resolution pre-surgical imaging techniques that can accurately localize the parathyroid with respect to surrounding structures. This project will develop a dedicated ultra-high resolution (~ 1 mm) and high sensitivity (10 times that of conventional cameras) cervical scintigraphic imaging device. It will be based on a multiple pinhole-camera SPECT (Single Photon Emission Tomography) system comprising a novel solid state CZT detector that offers the required performance. Phase I will develop a prototypical 64 by 64 CZT module and an overall system design, including the cervical SPECT scanner and gantry mechanics. An anthropomorphic cervical phantom will be used to evaluate the detector¿s performance. Phase II will fabricate and test a prototype of the dedicated cervical SPECT system. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The Cervical SPECT Camera for Parathyroid Imaging should meet the demand for high resolution detectors with superior lesion detection. Benefits include a reduction in surgical costs, hospital care costs, and mortality.