What is the initial data format obtained in PET imaging?

The initial data format obtained in PET imaging is sinograms. During a PET scan, the detector collects gamma rays emitted from the radioactive tracer within the body. These detected events are then processed to create sinograms, which are visual representations of the distribution of detected radiation as a function of angle and distance from the centroid of the scanner.

Sinograms serve as an intermediate step in the process of reconstructing images from raw data. They effectively summarize the detected data from multiple angles, providing the necessary information for subsequent image reconstruction algorithms to create images that represent the functional activity within the tissue being studied. Therefore, sinograms are integral in converting the raw data collected during the scan into a format that can be utilized for image generation, making them the correct representation of the initial data format in PET imaging.