Algorithms to identify detector Compton scatter in PET modules

Using Monte Carlo simulation, the authors investigate algorithms to identify and correct for detector Compton scatter in hypothetical PET modules with 3/spl times/3/spl times/30 mm EGO crystals coupled to individual photosensors. Rather than assume a particular design, the authors study three classes of detectors: (1) with energy resolution limited by counting statistics, (2) with energy resolution limited by electronic noise, and (3) with depth of interaction (DOI) measurement capability. For the first two classes, selecting the channel with the highest signal as the crystal of interaction yields a 22-25% misidentification fraction (MIF) for all reasonable noise fwhm to signal (N/S) ratios (i.e. <0.5 at 511 keV). Algorithms that attempt to correctly position events that undergo forward Compton scatter using only energy information can reduce the MIF to 12%, and can be easily realized with counting statistics limited detectors but can only be achieved with very low noise values for noise limited detectors. When using position of interaction to identify forward scatter, a MIF of 12% can be obtained if the detector has good energy and position resolution.