Median modified wiener filter for improving the image quality of gamma camera images

Abstract

The filter technique was applied to noise images, as noise is the significant factor that cause poor image quality due to lower photon counting. The purpose of this study is to confirm that image quality can be improved using the median modified Wiener filter (MMWF) technique; this is achieved via a National Electrical Manufacturers Association International Electrotechnical Commission body phantom with four large spheres that are filled with the 99mTc radioisotope when evaluating the image quality. Conventional filters such as Wiener, Gaussian, and median filters were designed, and signal to noise ratio, coefficient of variation, and contrast to noise ratio were used as the evaluation parameters. The improvement in the image quality was in the following order, from the least to the highest improvement, in all cases: Wiener filter, Gaussian filter, median filter, and the MMWF technique. The results show that the image quality was improved from 20.6 to 65.5%, 7.4–40.3%, and 12.7–44.7% for the SNR, COV, and CNR values, respectively, when using the MMWF technique, compared with the use of conventional filters. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the MMWF technique is useful for reducing the noise distribution in gamma camera images.

Keywords

• Median modified wiener filter
• Gamma camera image
• Nuclear medicine
• Noise reduction technique
• Evaluation of image quality