How is pitch calculated in PET imaging?

In PET imaging, pitch is a critical parameter that describes the relationship between the movement of the imaging table and the slice thickness during a scan. The correct calculation of pitch is determined by taking the distance the table moves in one complete rotation of the gantry and dividing it by the total volume of the slice being acquired during that rotation.

This relationship allows for an understanding of how much of the patient’s anatomy is being covered in a given time frame and is essential for optimizing image acquisition. A higher pitch can lead to decreased radiation dose and shorter scan times, but it can also affect image quality if not appropriately managed.

Utilizing the movement during one complete rotation of the imaging system provides a dynamic measure of how efficiently the system can scan the area of interest, which is vital in applications such as tumor detection or tracking metabolic processes. Therefore, this calculation aligns with the practical understanding of how pitch affects both image quality and scanning efficiency in clinical PET imaging.