What is the primary purpose of attenuation correction in PET imaging?

The primary purpose of attenuation correction in PET imaging is to compensate for tissue absorption of photons. In PET scans, a radioactive tracer is administered to the patient, and as it emits positrons, these positrons interact with electrons in the body, resulting in the emission of gamma rays. However, different tissues absorb these gamma rays to varying extents. Dense tissues like bone absorb more photons compared to softer tissues.

This differential absorption can lead to artifacts and inaccuracies in the resulting images, making it difficult to accurately determine the distribution and concentration of the tracer within the body. By applying attenuation correction algorithms, the effects of this tissue absorption are accounted for, allowing for more accurate representations of tracer distribution. This is crucial for diagnostics and treatment planning, as it leads to better visualization of metabolic activity in various tissues, particularly in oncology, cardiology, and neurology.

Other options may relate to different aspects of imaging, such as enhancing resolution or improving comfort, but they do not directly address the essential need to correct for varying tissue absorption of photons, making option B the most fitting response.