AERB/RSD/SPECT/GC/QAR/Rev.

3/2021

QUALITY ASSURANCE TESTS FOR

SPECT-CT /SPECT/GAMMA CAMERA IMAGING EQUIPMENT

RADIOLOGICAL SAFETY DIVISION

ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY BOARD,
NIYAMAK BHAVAN, ANUSHAKTINAGAR
MUMBAI-400 094

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 Quality Assurance Tests for SPECT-CT/SPECT/Gamma Camera Imaging
Equipments

Institute Name
Institute number in eLORA
Installation ID in eLORA
Details of SPECT-CT/ SPECT/ Gamma Camera
Type of Equipment (SPECT-CT/ SPECT/
Gamma Camera)
Manufacturer of the equipment
Model name of the equipment
The type/name of crystal used
Thickness of the crystal
CT component details of SPECT-CT *
Manufacturer of the CT component
Model name of the CT component
Type approval number of the CT component
*Mention NA if CT component is not available
I. Test related to SPECT/Gamma Camera component
1. Test of centring of PHA window
Description Observation Tolerance
Whether all photopeaks are properly centred Yes/No Observance of proper
in the test for each radionuclide proposed/ centring of all photopeaks
used in the department

2. Test of intrinsic flood field uniformity:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Differential UFOV ± 10% of reference value

Differential CFOV ± 10% of reference value

Integral UFOV ± 10% of reference value
Integral CFOV ± 10% of reference value

3. Test of extrinsic flood field uniformity:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Differential UFOV* ± 10% of reference value

Differential CFOV** ± 10% of reference value

Integral UFOV ± 10% of reference value
Integral CFOV ± 10% of reference value

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4. Test of intrinsic flood field uniformity through narrowed and asymmetric (off-centred)
PHA windows:

Description Observation Tolerance

Whether all the PMT is tuned Yes/No Observance of properly tuned
properly: PMT’s

5. Test of intrinsic spatial resolution:

Description Measured(mm) Reference(mm) Tolerance

FWHM in X Direction ≤ 1.05 of Reference

FWHM in Y Direction ≤ 1.05 of Reference

FWTM in X Direction ≤ 1.05 of Reference
FWTM in Y Direction ≤ 1.05 of Reference

6. Test of extrinsic spatial resolution (FWHM & FWTM) at 0, 10, and 20 cm distance
from the detector surface:

Description Distance 0 cm Distance 10cm

Measured Reference Tolerance Measured Reference Tolerance
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
FWHM in X ≤ 1.05 of ≤ 1.05 of
Direction Reference Reference

FWHM in Y ≤ 1.05 of ≤ 1.05 of

Direction Reference Reference
FWTM in X ≤ 1.05 of ≤ 1.05 of
Direction Reference Reference
FWTM in Y ≤ 1.05 of ≤ 1.05 of
Direction Reference Reference
FWHM in Y ≤ 1.05 of ≤ 1.05 of
Direction Reference Reference

Description Distance 20 cm
Measured Reference Tolerance
(mm) (mm)
FWHM in X ≤ 1.05 of Reference
Direction
FWHM in Y ≤ 1.05 of Reference
Direction
FWTM in X ≤ 1.05 of Reference
Direction
FWTM in Y ≤ 1.05 of Reference
Direction
FWHM in Y ≤ 1.05 of Reference
Direction

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7. Test of system spatial linearity:

Description Measured(mm) Reference(mm) Tolerance

UFOV ≤ 1.05 of Reference

CFOV ≤ 1.05 of Reference

8. Test of system planar sensitivity at 10cm from the detector surface:

Description Measured(mm) Reference(mm) Tolerance

Planar sensitivity ±10% of reference value

9. Test of collimator hole angulation:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Hole angulation ±10% of reference value

10. Test of intrinsic count rate performance and Dead Time with and without scatter
medium (two source/ manufacturer’s method):-

Description with scatter without scatter

Measured Reference Tolerance Measured Reference Tolerance

Dead Time ±10% of ±10% of

reference reference
Input Count ±10% of ±10% of
Rate reference reference

11. Test of maximum count rate:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

maximum count rate ±20% of reference value.

12. Test of multiple window spatial registration (MWSR):-

Description X Y
Measured Reference Tolerance Measured Reference Tolerance

Spatial ≤ 1.10 of ≤ 1.10 of

registration Reference Reference

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13. Test of detector head shielding leakage:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Detector head shielding ≤ 1.10 of reference

leakage

14. Test of scan speed (Using Flood Source):-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Scan speed ≤ 1.05 of reference

15. Energy Resolution:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Energy Resolution ≤ 1.05 of reference

Limits of acceptability: Measured ≤ 1.05 of manufacturers reference value

16. Pixel Size (X and Y direction):-

Description X Y
Measured Reference Tolerance Measured Reference Tolerance

Pixel Size ≤ 1.05 of ≤ 1.05 of

Reference Reference

17. Test of Integral Tomographic uniformity, RMS Noise with flood correction:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Integral Tomographic 10.7% to 18.8%

uniformity
RMS Noise 3.6% to 7.2%

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18. Test of Contrast Resolution

Sphere size (mm) Measured Reference Tolerance

31.8 ≤ 1.05 of reference

25.4 ≤ 1.05 of reference
19.1 ≤ 1.05 of reference
15.4 ≤ 1.05 of reference

19. Test of tomographic resolution in air (X and Y direction):-

Description X Y
Measured Reference Tolerance Measured Reference Tolerance

Tomographic ≤ 1.10 of ≤ 1.10 of

resolution Reference Reference

20. Test of the centre of rotation offset and alignment of axes:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Mean value of centre of rotation offset ±1mm

21. Test of slice thickness at the centre of the field of view:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Slice thickness ±10% of reference

22. Test of variations of sensitivity with angle:-

Description Measured Reference Tolerance

Variations of sensitivity ±10% of reference

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23. Alignment (Registration) Calibration SPECT /CT:

Description X Y

Measured Reference Tolerance Measured Reference Tolerance

Alignment ≤ 1.05 of ≤ 1.05 of

(Registration) Reference Reference

Z
Measured Reference Tolerance

≤ 1.05 of
Reference

UNDERTAKING

I/we hereby certify that

(i) All the information provided in this report are correct to the best of my knowledge and
belief.
(ii) In case, it is found, at any stage, that the information provided by me/us is false and/ or
not authentic, then I/we hereby undertake to comply with the regulatory action(s)
enforced against me/us and our institution, in accordance with the applicable Rules.

Place: Signature:
Date: Name of the Service Engineer:
Name of Supplier/Manufacturer:

Seal of Supplier/ Manufacturer:

Signature:
Date: Name of the Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Signature:
Date: (Licensee, Nuclear Medicine Facility)

Seal of the institute

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Document to be attached:

A. Manufacturer’s specification sheet indicating the reference values mentioned.

B. QA/QC report of the CT component as per the AERB format, if applicable.

Reference documents:

1. National Electrical Manufacturers Association. “NEMA Standards Publication NU 1-

2001: Performance Measurements of Gamma Camera,” USA, 2001.

2. National Electrical Manufacturers Association. “NEMA Standards Publication NU 1-

2007: Performance Measurements of Gamma Camera,” USA, 2007.

3. International Atomic Energy Agency. “IAEA Health Human Series No. 6: Quality
Assurance for SPECT systems,” Vienna, Austria, 2009.

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 II. Test related to Computed Tomography (CT) component

QUALITY ASSURANCE TEST REPORT FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

A. DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY EQUIPMENT

1 Name of the Institution and City

2 Type of Equipment
3 Model Name
4 Name of the Manufacturer
5 Name(s) of Person(s) testing the
equipment and Name of Supplier/Service
Agency
6 Date and Duration of the Tests

B. SUMMARY OF MECHANICAL SAFETY PERFORMANCE TESTS REPORT

Sr. Measured
Parameters Tested Specific Value Tolerance Remarks
No. Value
Alignment of Table to
1. 4  5 mm
Gantry
2. 5Accuracy of Gantry Tilt  20
3. 6Table Indexing Accuracy  1.0 mm

C. SUMMARY OF RADIATION SAFETY PERFORMANCE TEST REPORT

Sr. Specific Measured

Parameter Tested Tolerance Remarks
No. Value Value
For Slice
Thickness
a. Less 0.5 mm
than 1 mm
1. 4 Slice Thickness (mm)
b. 1 mm to
2 mm ± 50%
c. Above 2
mm ±1 mm
Accuracy of Operating
2. 5 ±2 kV
Potential (kV)
1.5 mm Al for
kV  70
Total Filtration 2.0 mm Al for
3.
kV  100
2.5 mm Al for
kV  100
 Percentage Error
4. 6 Accuracy of Timer
< 10 %
Linearity of
5. 7 Radiation Output CoL < 0.1
(mA/ mAs Linearity)
Reproducibility of
6. 8 CoV < 0.05
Radiation Output
Radiation Dose Test
[Weighted Computed
± 20 % of Stated
7. 9Tomography Dose Index
Values
(CTDIW) for Head and
Body Phantom]
As per Technical
Specifications
8. 1
Low Contrast Resolution Or
0
5.0 mm at 1%
contrast
As per Technical
9. 1 Specifications
High Contrast Resolution
1 Or
3.12 lp/cm
Radiation Leakage Level
from X-ray Tube
Housing
10. < 1mGy in one hour
(Measurement at
maximum kVp and
corresponding mA)

I hereby undertake that all the information provided above is correct and in accordance with the
detailed Quality Assurance Report enclosed herewith.

Place: Signature:
Date: Name of the Service Engineer:
Name of Supplier/QA Agency:
Seal of Supplier/QA Agency:
#Signature of Institution’s Representative:
Name of Institution:
Seal of the Institution:

# Quality Assurance Tests Report shall be signed by Institution’s Representative and duly stamped by
the User’s Institution.
 Part-I MECHANICAL SAFETY TESTS FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

A.1 Alignment of Table to Gantry

Result :

Tolerance :  5 mm

A.2. Accuracy of Gantry Tilt

Exposure Parameters : kVp: mAs:

Actual Gantry Tilt :

Measured Gantry Tilt :

Result :

Tolerance :  20

A.3. Table Indexing Accuracy

Initial table position :

Load on couch :

Exposure parameters : kVp: mAs: Slice thickness:

Applied table increments :

Table position from reference 1 cm 2 cm 3 cm 4 cm 5 cm

position
Measured

Tolerance :  1.0 mm

PART-II RADIATION SAFETY TESTS OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

1. Slice Thickness / Radiation Profile Width:

Exposure Parameters: kVp: mAs:

Applied Slice Thickness Measured Density Profile Tolerance
(mm) Width (FWHM)
For slice thickness
a. Less than 1 mm 0.5 mm

b. 1 mm to 2 mm ± 50%

c. Above 2 mm ±1 mm

2. Accuracy of Operating Potential:

Set kV mA station mA station mA station Average kVp

I II III

Tolerance :  2 kVp

3. Total Filtration

Total Filtration (measurement at maximum kVp):

Tolerance: 1.5 mm Al for kV  70, 2.0 mm Al for kV  100, 2.5 mm Al for kV  100

4. Accuracy of Timer :

Set Time Observed Time Percentage Error

Tolerance: Percent Error = |Observed value – Exact Value| / Exact value * 100 < 10 %

5. Linearity of Radiation Output (Measurement of mA / mAs linearity)

Operating Parameters: kVp: Slice Thickness:

Radiation Output (Gy or mR) Gy/mAs or mR/mAs
mA / I II III (X)
mAs
 Xmax – Xmin
Coefficient of Linearity (CoL) = --------------
Xmax+ Xmin
Tolerance: CoL< 0.1

6. Reproducibility of Radiation Output

Operating Parameters : mAs: Slice Thickness:

Operating Radiation Output (Gy or mR) Mean CoV

Potential (kVp) 1 2 3 4 5 (X)

Coefficient of Variation (CoV) = X-1 [ (Xi -X)2 / n-1]½

Tolerance: CoV < 0.05

7. Radiation Dose Test

Measurement of Weighted Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIW)

Use pencil ionization chamber connected to a suitable electrometer, in conjunction with a

head/body phantom. Measure the dose in the axial and peripheral cavities of the phantom for the
techniques specified by the manufacturer.

Operating Parameters: kVp: mAs: Slice Thickness:

Result: Head Body

Axial dose : --------- mGy/mAs -----------mGy/mAs

Peripheral dose : --------- mGy/mAs -----------mGy/mAs

: --------- mGy/mAs -----------mGy/mAs

: ---------mGy/mAs -----------mGy/mAs

: ---------m Gy/mAs -----------mGy/mAs

Peripheral dose (Mean): ---------mGy/mAs -----------mGy/mAs

CTDIc : --------- mGy/mAs ----------mGy/mAs

CTDIp (mean) : --------- mGy/mAs ----------mGy/mAs

Weighted CTDI (CTDIw) = 1/3 CTDIc + 2/3 CTDIp

 CTDIw : ----------- mGy/mAs for Head Phantom
----------- mGy/mAs for Body Phantom

Tolerance :  20% of the quoted value (Expected)

 40% of the quoted value (maximum)

8. Low Contrast Resolution

Phantom: CT Imaging Phantom

Operating Parameters : kVp: mAs: Slice Thickness:

Window width:
Result:

Low contrast resolution: ---------- mm at -------- % contrast difference

Tolerance : As per Technical Specification

Or
5.0 mm at 1% contrast difference (minimum)
2.5 mm at 0.5 % contrast difference (expected)

9. High Contrast Resolution

Phantom: CT Imaging Phantom

Operating Parameters : kVp: mAs: Slice Thickness:

Window width: Use high resolution algorithm.

Result :

Size of the smallest resolvable bar/hole pattern: -----------mm (-------- lp/cm)

Tolerance: As per Technical specification

Or
At 10% contrast difference the size of the bar/hole pattern that could be
resolvable should be 1.6 mm ( 3.12 lp/cm).
Expected high contrast resolution: 0.8 mm ( 6.25 lp/cm)

10. Radiation Leakage Level from X-ray Tube Housing

Operating Potential: kV: mA: Sec:

(Use maximum kV available in the CT unit for leakage measurement)

Radiation Leakage Level (mR/hr)

Front Back Left Right
Workload = 500 mA-min in one hour for measurement of tube housing leakage

Max leakage = 500 mA-min in one hour X ----Max radiation leakage level (mR/hr)
60 X -----mA used for measurement

Maximum radiation leakage from tube at 1m = ------------- mR in one hour

Result: Maximum radiation leakage at 1 meter from the focus of CT Tube is ………. mGy in one
hour.

Recommended upper limit: Radiation leakage at 1 meter from the focus of CT tube should not
exceed 1mGy in one hour (115 mR in one hour).

11. Details of Radiation Protection Survey of the Installation

Date of radiation protection survey:

Whether radiation survey meter used for the survey has valid calibration certificate: Yes/No

Phantom: CTDI Body Phantom

Workload of the CT facility: ---------------- mA-min/week

Exposure Setting:-
Applied Voltage (kV): Tube Current (mA): Exposure Time(s):

Location Measured radiation level (mR/hr)

Control Console (Operator Position)
Outside Patient Entrance Door
Behind Windows (if applicable)
Patient Waiting Area

Maximum Radiation level/week (mR/wk.) = ----- mA-min/week X ----Max radiation level (mR/hr)
60 X -----mA used for measurement

Permissible limit
For location of Radiation Worker: 20 mSv in a year (40 mR/week)
For Location of Member of Public: 1 mSv in a year (2 mR/week)