Quantitative thallium imaging.

Abstract

There has been much recent interest in quantitative interpretation of 201thallium myocardial imaging. Quantitative analysis can be used as an aid in the more accurate interpretation of myocardial scans. Quantitative analysis is essential to extract information about the kinetics of thallium redistribution. This article briefly reviews the mechanism of uptake and redistribution of 201thallium in the heart and the effect of dipyridamole on uptake and redistribution. Several of the algorithms that have been used to quantitate 201thallium distribution and kinetics on planar studies and the value of quantification on diagnostic accuracy are described. Proper utilization of these methods depends upon a complete understanding of the assumption and the limitations of these algorithms.