Few clinicians would dispute the value of combining functional PET images and anatomical CT scans for the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and follow-up of cancerous tumors.
Information obtained from both functional metabolic studies, such as those produced by positron emission tomography (PET), and highly accurate anatomical landmarks such as those provided by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) prove incomparable for managing patients with cancer.
The first, fused images were produced using computer-based co-registration programs that merged digital data produced by two separate pieces of equipment. In addition to the continuing development of software fusion capabilities, a few of the major OEMS have created hybrid PET-CT imaging devices that combine two systems into one integrated functional and anatomical imaging system.
Henry J. Wagner, Jr, M.D., director of the division of radiation health sciences at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore says, “The reasons for the great interest in fused imaging is that 1) PET information is being shown to be very valuable, 2) as the radiotracers become more specific, there is less non-specific uptake … in surrounding organs, so that it is difficult to get anatomical orientation from the PET images themselves, which was the case with the less specific tracers, and 3) the greatest clinical value is in the pre-operative assessment of cancer patients.
Please refer to the June 2001 issue for the complete story. For information on article reprints, contact Martin St. Denis
