Image processing method for analyzing cerebral blood-flow using SPECT and MRI

We developed a new software FUSE (with an image processing method) to detect regions where deterioration of blood-flow is occurring from brain perfusion SPECT images. Unlike the known similar software such as SPM and 3D-SSP, FUSE does not use a database of SPECT images for normal volunteers. Instead, FUSE uses a 3-D MRI image of the same patient together with a SPECT perfusion image. This paper describes the image processing method in FUSE and shows some evaluation results. The results demonstrate that outputs of FUSE have a strong correlation to those of 3-D SSP. The unnecessity of normal database is a significant advantage of FUSE. We also apply the image processing method in FUSE to SPECT/PET image reconstruction using prior anatomical information.