On an intrinsic field uniformity image, what is the term for the area of increased activity around the image?

The term that describes the area of increased activity surrounding the image on an intrinsic field uniformity image is referred to as the edge packing effect. This phenomenon occurs due to the inherent properties of the imaging system and can be influenced by the collimator design, the interaction of gamma rays with the detector, and the geometry of the imaging system.

Edge packing is specifically characterized by the increased counts at the periphery of the image, which can give a false impression of heterogeneity within the distribution being imaged. It is important for practitioners to recognize this effect as it can impact the interpretation of dynamic images, especially in evaluating areas near the edges of the field of view.

The other terms mentioned, such as flare phenomenon, septal penetration, and halo effect, refer to different processes or artifacts in nuclear imaging. These do not specifically describe the increased activity around the image as edge packing does, reinforcing that the correct identification of image artifacts is crucial for accurate diagnosis and assessment in nuclear medicine.