* AutoSPECT is available exclusively through Philips Medical Systems (formerly ADAC Laboratories.)

AutoSPECT offers several automatic processing modules for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies. Although it is mainly designed for cardiac data, many of its functionalities can be applied to other types of SPECT studies.

AutoSPECT was the first software package to provide automatic reorientation of three-dimensional, transaxial myocardial perfusion SPECT images. It was initially tested on more than 400 studies with a success ratio of 98.5%.

Each module has associated pages that present data and the controls necessary to perform the specific task for which the page has been designed.

The program can be used interactively on one or more datasets or in batch mode to process data without further intervention from the user. If matching rest and stress datasets are provided, AutoSPECT will automatically operate in dual mode.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

First, this module determines the extent of the left ventricle, thus limiting subsequent operations to a restricted amount of data. This is done by segmenting the left ventricle by iterative clustering and rule-based location/size/shape criteria.

The final mid-myocardial surface is then determined by an iterative process that incorporates additional constraints of shape and texture and uses information from the nonsegmented transaxial image.

Each row in the sinogram corresponds to a projection in the original raw data. The pixel values in the sinogram for a particular row are the values of the voxels located along the intersection of the chosen transverse plane and raw projection plane.

This screenshot is an example of AutoSPECT operating in dual mode with rest and stress datasets.

The upper and lower part of the page can be modified automatically to generate a bracket of parameters around the values of the central filter.

In this case, the same filter type with three different parameters has been selected.

Information regarding the availability of AutoSPECT can be found here.

• Germano G, Kavanagh PB, Chen J, Waechter P, Su HT, Kiat H, Berman DS. Operator-less processing of myocardial perfusion SPECT studies. J Nucl Med 1995; 36(11): 2127-32.
• Germano G, Kavanagh PB, Su HT, Mazzanti M, Kiat H, Hachamovitch R, Van Train KF, Areeda JS, Berman DS. Automatic reorientation of three-dimensional, transaxial myocardial perfusion SPECT images [see comments]. J Nucl Med 1995; 36(6): 1107-14.