DICOM and CT/PET Fusion CT and PET slices stored as separate original image files –one slice per file (old objects) or multiple slices per file (new enhanced objects) Fused images are NOT stored in special form Blending presentation state specifies what and how to fuse –selection of underlying (CT) and superimposed (PET) sets of images –windowing, relative opacity and pseudo-color palette –may include reference to rigid or non-rigid registration spatial transform Why ? –allows receiving application user to adjust/correct re-sampling, registration, windowing, relative opacity, perform MPR & 3D –allows for computation of quantitative values from originals –avoids storage of duplicate of entire data set (in original and fused forms) Can store fused result as “secondary capture image” –for display only (referring physician); can’t be adjusted & useless for quantitation

DICOM Blending Pipeline

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed select underlying

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed [register] select underlying

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed [register] resample select underlying

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed [register] resample within slices select underlying

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed [register] resample within slices [between slices] select underlying

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed [register] resample within slices [between slices] select underlying rescale and window

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed [register] resample within slices [between slices] select underlying rescale and window pseudo-color

Blending for CT-PET select superimposed [register] resample within slices [between slices] select underlying rescale and window blend pseudo-color