What is the primary function of deconvolution techniques in PET imaging?

Deconvolution techniques in PET imaging primarily serve to improve spatial resolution. This process involves mathematically manipulating the acquired image data in order to reconstruct a clearer representation of the underlying structures. PET images can be affected by factors such as point spread function, which blurs the image and reduces detail. By employing deconvolution, the effects of this blurring can be reversed to some extent, enabling the visualization of finer details that would otherwise be obscured.

While enhancing image clarity is related, deconvolution specifically targets enhancements in spatial resolution, which directly impacts the precision with which images represent anatomical and functional features. Other methods may focus on noise reduction or accounting for motion artifacts, but deconvolution's core focus is on refining detail within the spatial dimensions of the image to allow for better interpretation and diagnosis.