The Electromagnetic Interference of Mobile Phones on the Function of a γ-Camera

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether or not the electromagnetic field generated by mobile phones interferes with the function of a SPECT gamma-camera during data acquisition. Methods: We tested the effects of 7 models of mobile phones on 1 SPECT gamma-camera. The mobile phones were tested when making a call, in ringing mode, and in standby mode. The gamma-camera function was assessed during data acquisition from a planar source and a point source of Tc-99m with activities of 10 mCi and 3 mCi, respectively. A significant visual decrease in count number was considered to be electromagnetic interference ( EMI). Results: The percentage of induced EMI with the gamma-camera per mobile phone was in the range of 0% to 100%. The incidence of EMI was mainly observed in the first seconds of ringing and then mitigated in the following frames. Conclusions: Mobile phones are portable sources of electromagnetic radiation, and there is interference potential with the function of SPECT gamma-cameras leading to adverse effects on the quality of the acquired images.