[Intl_DxMedPhys] Case report - PET "artifact" is likely bacteria

Wed Jun 10 21:26:47 EDT 2026

Thanks all,

Indeed, it seems our phantom image exhibited an unexpected area of rapid glucose uptake (kind of poetic). We could treat - with bleach, thanks Nicole/Josh, or monitor – scan again in 3 months and see if it progresses ;p

In hindsight, it’s quite possible the water hasn’t been changed in longer than it should have been—lesson learned. But first time in my 20 year career I’ve seen this.

Appreciate all the insights,
Adam

From: Nicole Ranger <nicoletranger at yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 8:12 PM
To: David S. Winter <dwinter at mhg.com>
Cc: Joshua M Wilson <joshua.wilson at duke.edu>; intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu; Kesner, Adam <kesnera at mskcc.org>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Intl_DxMedPhys] Case report - PET "artifact"

Agree that is is likely a growth of bacteria. The best corrective action is to let it decay then take the lid off and inserts out, empty water and wash everything (surfaces and inserts) thoroughly. I’ve had this happen with a SPECT phantom. 

Agree that is is likely a growth of bacteria.  The best corrective action is to let it decay then take the lid off and inserts out, empty water and wash everything (surfaces and inserts) thoroughly.  I’ve had this happen with a SPECT phantom.  Going forward once everything is clean and sanitized, refill the phantom with distilled, not tap, water and add a few drops of bleach.  Even with these preventative measures it’s best to clean it periodically as a proactive measure.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 10, 2026, at 3:31 PM, David S. Winter via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>> wrote:

Hollywood should take a hint. Enclosed environment filled only with water and the occasional injection of radioactive material. The question is… will the result be hero or villain? D. SCOTT WINTER  CHIEF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST O: 228-865-3475
Hollywood should take a hint. Enclosed environment filled only with water and the occasional injection of radioactive material. The question is… will the result be hero or villain?

<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/wearememorial.com/__;!!KGKeukY!w5FAGj1Z1_rp0INjPTEi0vyMcD7KY9mqBnlx3BNv9TmSvyC32pN_Tp6X5GSjayIin6szCx9n4eKJirkqc8BpbzoL0hpD2wyD_HKQ$>
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D. SCOTT WINTER

CHIEF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST
O:
228-865-3475<tel:228-865-3475>

From: Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces+dwinter=mhg.com at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces+dwinter=mhg.com at lists.osu.edu>> On Behalf Of Joshua M Wilson via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 9:48 AM
To: intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>; Kesner, Adam <kesnera at mskcc.org<mailto:kesnera at mskcc.org>>
Subject: Re: [Intl_DxMedPhys] Case report - PET "artifact"

I'm guessing the phantom hasn't been emptied in a very long time. This is a classic "some bacteria is growing in the water and will gladly feast of some newly introduced glucose. " As you probably know, adding a couple drops of bleach
I'm guessing the phantom hasn't been emptied in a very long time. This is a classic "some bacteria is growing in the water and will gladly feast of some newly introduced glucose." As you probably know, adding a couple drops of bleach during phantom fills helps to avoid this.

Best,
Josh M. Wilson, PhD

Duke University Health System
Radiation Physicist, Clinical Imaging Physics Group
Duke University, School of Medicine
Director, Duke Imaging Physics Residency Program
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology
Duke University, Graduate School
Faculty, Medical Physics Graduate Program
________________________________
From: Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces+joshua.wilson=duke.edu at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list-bounces+joshua.wilson=duke.edu at lists.osu.edu>> on behalf of Kesner, Adam via Intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 9:15 AM
To: intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu> <intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu<mailto:intl_dxmedphys_wd_osu_list at lists.osu.edu>>
Subject: [Intl_DxMedPhys] Case report - PET "artifact"

Here was a new one for me – last night we scanned an ACR PET phantom, three acquisitions on two different PET scanners. Interestingly we found what appears to be a unexpected clump of activity, at new location each acquisition. See pics. 

Here was a new one for me – last night we scanned an ACR PET phantom, three acquisitions on two different PET scanners.  Interestingly we found what appears to be a unexpected clump of activity, at new location each acquisition. See pics.

We used water + FDG. Our group has a theory what we saw, but happy to hear input from the community…

SCAN 1
<image005.png>

SCAN 2
<image006.png>

SCAN 3
<image007.png>

Adam Kesner, PhD, DABR

Deputy Service Chief of Molecular and X-Ray Imaging Physics

Attending Physicist

Department of Medical Physics
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
1250 First Avenue, Room S-1119E (Box 84), New York, NY 10065
T 212-639-6371   F 212-717-3010
kesnera at mskcc.org<mailto:kesnera at mskcc.org>
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