Last Step in Diagnostic Imaging: Integrated PET/MR Systems and First Experiences in Turkey
Journal Title: Nükleer Tıp Seminerleri - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
The integration of PET and MRI imaging, to make these devices simultaneously work in a single system has been an ongoing research project for at least 20 years. The incompatibility of MRI and PET was mainly due to the high magnetic field of the MRI device which interfered with the photomultiplier tubes of the PET systems and rendered it inoperable. Therefore, integrated PET/MRI systems developed much later than the integrated PET/CT systems. Over the years the PET/CT imaging modality gained popularity worldwide because of its high clinical availability and usability and of the valuable information it provided. After the development of avalanche photodiodes which are photodetectors that are insensitive to large magnetic fields this problem of interference was circumvented and simultaneous PET/MRI imaging was made possible. PET/MRI imaging is a very innovative method of imaging that has various advantages. PET/MRI integrated systems gives the opportunity to utilize the information from MRI which has high soft tissue contrast and spatial resolution and multi-parametric imaging properties and the valuable molecular information from PET simultaneously. Also, it decreases the dose of radiation that the patient is subjected to approximately 70-80 percent compared to PET/CT imaging which is beneficial especially in the pediatric age group and in circumstances where multiple imaging is required. The usage of FDG and especially other radiopharmaceutical agents (Ga-68-PSMA, Ga-68-DOTATATE, F-18-FDOPA, F-18-FLT, F-18-FET, F-18-FMISO ect) and the simultaneous evaluation of the information gathered about different biological processes using PET with the information from multiparemetric MRI images will pave the way for PET/MRI to be used as a primary diagnostic tool. We are happy to lead this process in our country as the first center to implement PET/MRI imaging in Turkey and amongst the 80 countries in our region and to share our experiences with the readers at this issue.
Authors and Affiliations
Lütfiye Özlem Atay
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP241213
- DOI 10.4274/nts.001
- Views 143
- Downloads 0
Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonanse Imaging Applications in Neurologic Imaging
Hybrid positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) systems allow simultaneous assessment of disease-related structural and functional changes that occur in neurological disorders. Diagnostic use of...
Disease Models and Imaging Techniques Used in Pre-Clinical Studies - Endocrine Models
Disease models are often used to obtain new information on the etiology and biology of human diseases and/or neoplasms and to develop new treatments. Although technological advances in clinical diagnosis and genetic anal...
Patient and Personnel Radiation Exposure in Sentinel Lymph Node Practice
Sentinel lymph node imaging is the method used for regional staging most commonly in breast cancer, skin cancer, as well as head and neck cancer. Recently, it has also been used in gynecologic tumors. Detection of the se...
The Role of Multiparametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Biochemical Recurrence
Biochemical recurrence (BCR) occurs frequently after prostate cancer treatment with incidence rates of approximately 20-35% at 10-year follow-up. Thus, detection and treatment of recurrence has become an important issue....
Treatment Modalities in Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men. Depending on the stage of the disease, the risk of death from disease is less than 5%. Approximately 185.000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year in t...