How can image noise be decreased during dedicated PET imaging?

In dedicated PET imaging, image noise can effectively be decreased by scanning for a longer duration. When the scanning time is extended, the system collects more counts or data from the emitted positrons. This increased count density leads to a better signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in images that are clearer and more detailed.

Longer scanning times allow for more radioactive decay events to be captured, enhancing the overall statistical accuracy of the resulting image. This is particularly important because noise can obscure subtle details in the imaging data, which are critical for accurate diagnosis and evaluation in nuclear medicine.

In contrast, other methods such as decreasing the distance between the patient and detectors or using different modes like 2D or 4D may impact different aspects of imaging but do not directly address or effectively reduce noise in the same way that increasing the scan duration does. By incorporating longer scan times into the imaging protocol, the quality of the images improves by minimizing the effects of noise.