Help needed for reconstructing DaTSCAN data (PPMI DICOM) with STIR

[hamza-coding-usthb]

Hello everyone

I’m new to medical image reconstruction and STIR, and I’m trying to reconstruct DaTSCAN (I-123) SPECT data from the PPMI dataset. The raw data is in DICOM projection format.

I have been able to extract sinograms from the DICOM files and create corresponding Interfile headers, but I am struggling with:

How to correctly prepare sinogram data and headers for STIR

Which reconstruction commands or pipelines to use for DaTSCAN (SPECT) data

Any recommended example scripts or parameter files for SPECT reconstruction in STIR

General tips or documentation for handling PPMI DaTSCAN data

I’m not sure if STIR fully supports SPECT or if I need additional preprocessing or configuration.

Could anyone please provide guidance, example workflows, or resources that could help a beginner get started with reconstructing PPMI DaTSCAN data using STIR?

Thank you very much for your time and help!

[danieldeidda]

Dear Hamza,
Thanks for your query. Did you use STIR utility SPECT_dicom_to_interfile to get an interfile? If yes you should be able to reconstruct the data already. if you have in interfile from other software you could still try and see what error you get but in principle STIR should be able to read interfile format.

STIR as a few options ( ex OSMAPOSL, KOSMAPOSL, OSSPS including different priors etc.) as a start I think you can try OSMAPOSL. We don't have specific recommendation for different SPECT applications but you can investigate different parameter to see what works best. If you have already installed STIR I would have a look at the parameter file examples in STIR/examples/samples. For example: OSEM_SPECTUB.par

This file will allow you to set some parameters you need to set the input with your interfile then you can give as input attenuation image, scatter_estimated sinograms etc.

then you just run on the terminal OSMAPOSL OSEM_SPECTUB.par

I am sure you may have more specific question once you start playing around, please keep them coming,
best wishes,
Daniel