Systematic evaluation of phantom fluids for simultaneous PET/MR hybrid imaging

With the recent advent of integrated PET/MR hybrid systems, the need for simultaneous PET and MR phantom measurements arises. Phantom fluids that are used in stand-alone MR systems, especially in larger phantoms and at a high magnetic field strength, are not necessarily applicable in PET imaging and vice versa. In this study, different approaches to fluid selection were considered and systematically evaluated with respect to their usability for simultaneous PET/MR phantom imaging. Demineralized water, water with increased electrical conductivity, a water-oil emulsion, and monoethylene and triethylene glycol were investigated in MR and PET measurements using the most common PET tracer (18)F-FDG. As an alternative to (18)F-FDG, a modified PET tracer ((18)F-fluoride Kryptofix 222 complex) was investigated toward its ability to dissolve in pure oil, which provides good signal homogeneity in MR imaging. Measurements were performed on a 3.0 T integrated PET/MR whole-body system using a National Electrical Manufacturers Association quality-standard phantom. All tested fluids dissolved the radiotracer (18)F-FDG homogeneously. Regarding their suitability for MR at 3.0 T, all fluids significantly improved the homogeneity compared to pure water (increase of excitation flip angle within the tested phantom by a factor of 2.0). When the use of (18)F-FDG was preferred, triethylene glycol provided the best compromise (flip angle increase by a factor of 1.13). The potential alternative tracer, (18)F-fluoride Kryptofix 222 complex, dissolved in pure oil; however, it is not optimal in its tested composition because it accumulates at the bottom of the phantom during the time of measurement. This study provides a systematic approach toward phantom fluid selection for imaging a given quality-standard body phantom--and phantoms of comparable size--at 3.0 T. For simultaneous PET/MR scans using the standard tracer (18)F-FDG, an alternative fluid to water and oil is proposed that serves as a viable option for both imaging modalities. Nevertheless, when water is preferred, ways to improve MR image homogeneity are presented. The tested alternative PET tracer enables the use of pure oil in combined scans, but the tracer composition needs to be optimized for phantom measurement applications.