A fully three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm with the nonstationary filter for improved single-orbit cone beam SPECT

Conventional single-orbit cone beam tomography suffers from incomplete sampling and an inadequate three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction algorithm. The commonly used Feldkamp reconstruction algorithm simply extends the two-dimensional (2D) fan beam algorithm to 3D cone beam geometry. A truly 3D reconstruction formulation based on the 3D Fourier slice theorem is derived for a single-orbit cone beam SPECT. In the formulation, a nonstationary filter which depends on the distance from the central plane of the cone beam is derived and applied to the 2D projection data in directions along and normal to the axis of rotation. This algorithm was evaluated using both computer simulation and experimental measurements. Significant improvement in image quality was demonstrated in terms of decreased artifacts and distortions in cone beam reconstructed images. However, compared with the Feldkamp algorithm, a fivefold increase in processing time is required