PETiin

PETiin is an open-source software framework intended to streamline the processing, analysis, and sharing of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data. Designed to support reproducible research and cross-institution collaboration, PETiin provides modular tools for data ingestion, preprocessing, quantification, and visualization within a single workflow environment.

Origin and scope: PETiin was launched in 2023 by a collaborative group of imaging scientists and software engineers. The project is distributed under a permissive open-source license and aims to integrate with established neuroimaging ecosystems.

Features: Data import supports DICOM, NIfTI, and BIDS-PET formats. Preprocessing covers motion correction, decay correction, normalization, and smoothing. Quantification modules support standardized uptake value (SUV) analyses, time-activity curves, parametric and nonparametric kinetic modeling, and partial-volume correction. Visualization includes ROI and voxel-wise maps, quality metrics, and interactive dashboards.

Architecture and interoperability: The core is a modular engine with a plugin architecture, enabling users to add models or processing steps. It supports YAML-based pipelines and containerized execution (Docker, Singularity) for reproducibility. PETiin interoperates with other tools in the neuroimaging stack (SPM, FSL, AFNI) and adheres to FAIR data principles.

Clinical application and limitations: While used in academic research and multicenter studies, PETiin is not yet a routine clinical tool. Clinical deployment requires regulatory validation, institutional approvals, and careful tracer-specific calibration. The learning curve and computational demands can be barriers for some centers.

Governance and community: The project is community-run with public issue trackers, documentation, and tutorials. Development emphasizes transparent licensing, open contribution, and regular releases.

See also: Positron emission tomography, DICOM, NIfTI, BIDS-PET, SUV, Partial-volume correction.