Optimization of compact gamma cameras for breast imaging

Mammoscintigraphy is an important tool for secondary breast cancer screening. Good results have been achieved with dedicated gamma cameras for T-1b tumors (size > 5 mm). We have performed simulations and measurements in order to improve the performance of compact gamma cameras for detecting Tia tumors (size < 5 mm). Preliminary results of the simulation show that the best performance can be obtained using CsI(Tl) segmented scintillators (2 x 2 x 3 mm(3)) coupled with a Position Sensitive Photomultiplier Tube (PSPMT) having a multianode structure (2 x 2 mm(2) pad size). Measurements allowed to test the validity of the simulation software. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.