Combining anatomy and function: the path to true image fusion

Abstract

Modern imaging technologies visualize different aspects of disease in a non-invasive way. Considerable progress has been made in the fusion of images from different imaging modalities using software approaches. One goal of fusion software is to align anatomical and functional images and allow improved spatial localization of abnormalities. The resulting correlation of the anatomical and functional images may clarify the nature of the abnormality and help diagnose or stage the underlying disease. Whereas successful image fusion software has been developed for the brain, only limited success has been achieved for image alignment in other parts of the body. The development and current status of alternative approaches are presented. Dual-modality imaging is described with devices where two modalities are combined and mounted in a single gantry. The use of existing scanner technology ensures that no compromises are made in the clinical efficacy of either the anatomical or functional imaging modality. A combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scanner has been developed and is undergoing clinical evaluation. Combining PET with MR is technologically more challenging because of the strong magnetic fields restricting the use of certain electronic components. An overview of the current status and future prospects of dual-modality imaging devices is presented.

Role of PET/CT in the detection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

“…The limited morphological information provided by PET, however, creates the need for integration with conventional CT. The introduction of new hybrid PET/CT scanners is in this sense a great leap forward [11][12][13].…”

“…Studi retrospettivi hanno dimostrato che la PET permette una migliore selezione pre-operatoria dei pazienti con tumore del colon-retto con localizzazioni secondarie, che si traduce, dopo la resezione di metastasi epatiche, con una più lunga sopravvivenza [8]. La [11][12][13].…”

Spatial resolution on a small animal RPC-PET prototype operating under magnetic field

“…This possibility is especially interesting because the RPC technology is compatible with magnetic fields (its performance is not altered by the field), which would allow operation within a Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI) [11].…”

Dual-Modality Imaging: More Than the Sum of its Components

“…16,17 With the goal of improving the correlation of different types of image data, other investigators have developed instrumentation which integrate both x-ray and radionuclide imaging is in a single device. 1,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] This technique, often called dual-modality imaging, can combine a PET or SPECT system with a CT scanner, using a common patient table, computer, and gantry so that both the x-ray and radionuclide image data are acquired sequentially without removing the patient from the scanner. This technique thereby produces anatomical and functional images with the patient in the same position and during a single procedure, which simplifies the image registration and fusion processes.…”

“…This technique thereby produces anatomical and functional images with the patient in the same position and during a single procedure, which simplifies the image registration and fusion processes. 1,25,28,32,34,36 In seeking to achieve accurate registration of the anatomical and functional data, dual-modality imaging offers several potential advantages over conventional imaging techniques. 37 First, the radionuclide and x-ray images are supplementary and complementary.…”