What are precision errors, and what do they mean in [18F]NaF PET imaging?

Precision errors refer to the variability or inconsistency in measurements when the same parameter is repeatedly assessed under the same conditions. In simpler terms, it’s the degree to which repeated measurements give similar results.

Lower precision errors indicate more consistent and reliable measurements, while higher precision errors suggest greater variability, making the data less trustworthy. In research, minimizing precision errors is crucial for accurately interpreting results and drawing meaningful conclusions.

Precision errors associated with [18F]NaF PET imaging parameters are: SUV : ~ 11%, Ki : ~ 15% k3/(k2+K3) = Ki/K1 : ~ 19% K1 : ~ 36% k2 : ~ 52% k3 : ~ 28% k4 : ~33% Fbv : ~ 55%

Blake GM, Puri T, Siddique M, Frost ML, Moore AEB, Fogelman I. Site specific measurements of bone formation using [18F] sodium fluoride PET/CT. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2018 Feb;8(1):47–59. doi: 10.21037/qims.2018.01.02. PMID: 29541623; PMCID: PMC5835654.