# Implantation of an Artificial Intelligence Denoising Algorithm Using SubtlePET™ with Various Radiotracers: 18F-FDG, 68Ga PSMA-11 and 18F-FDOPA, Impact on the Technologist Radiation Doses

**Authors:** Jules Zhang-Yin, Octavian Dragusin, Paul Jonard, Christian Picard, Justine Grangeret, Christopher Bonnier, Philippe P. Leveque, Joel Aerts, Olivier Schaeffer

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/jimaging11070234 · 2025-07-11

## TL;DR

This study shows that using an AI algorithm called SubtlePET™ improves PET image quality while reducing radiation doses and scan time for various radiotracers.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of SubtlePET™ across multiple radiotracers with significant dose reduction and improved image quality.

## Key findings

- SubtlePET™ enabled dose reductions exceeding 33% and time savings of over 25%.
- AI-enhanced images were rated interpretable in 100% of cases versus 65% for standard low-dose reconstructions.
- Quantitative image quality improved significantly with SNR and CNR gains of 50–70%.

## Abstract

This study assesses the clinical deployment of SubtlePET™, a commercial AI-based denoising algorithm, across three radiotracers—18F-FDG, 68Ga-PSMA-11, and 18F-FDOPA—with the goal of improving image quality while reducing injected activity, technologist radiation exposure, and scan time. A retrospective analysis on a digital PET/CT system showed that SubtlePET™ enabled dose reductions exceeding 33% and time savings of over 25%. AI-enhanced images were rated interpretable in 100% of cases versus 65% for standard low-dose reconstructions. Notably, 85% of AI-enhanced scans received the maximum Likert quality score (5/5), indicating excellent diagnostic confidence and noise suppression, compared to only 50% with conventional reconstruction. The quantitative image quality improved significantly across all tracers, with SNR and CNR gains of 50–70%. Radiotracer dose reductions were particularly substantial in low-BMI patients (up to 41% for FDG), and the technologist exposure decreased for high-exposure roles. The daily patient throughput increased by an average of 4.84 cases. These findings support the robust integration of SubtlePET™ into routine clinical PET practice, offering improved efficiency, safety, and image quality without compromising lesion detectability.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** 18F-FDG (PubChem CID 68614), 68Ga-PSMA-11 (PubChem CID 154572876), 18F-FDOPA (PubChem CID 56494)

## Full-text entities

- **Chemicals:** 18F-FDOPA (MESH:C043437), 18F-FDG (MESH:D019788), 68Ga PSMA-11 (MESH:C000718244)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12295822/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12295822