Initial experience of MR/PET in a clinical cancer center

Abstract

Magentic Resonance/positron emission tomography (PET) has been introduced recently for imaging of clinical patients. This hybrid imaging technology combines the inherent strengths of MRI with its high soft-tissue contrast and biological sequences with the inherent strengths of PET, enabling imaging of metabolism with a high sensitivity. In this article, we describe the initial experience of MR/PET in a clinical cancer center along with a review of the literature. For establishing MR/PET in a clinical setting, technical challenges, such as attenuation correction and organizational challenges, such as workflow and reimbursement, have to be overcome. The most promising initial results of MR/PET have been achieved in anatomical areas where high soft-tissue and contrast resolution is of benefit. Head and neck cancer and pelvic imaging are potential applications of this hybrid imaging technology. In the pediatric population, MR/PET can decrease the lifetime radiation dose. MR/PET protocols tailored to different types of malignancies need to be developed. After the initial exploration phase, large multicenter trials are warranted to determine clinical indications for this exciting hybrid imaging technology and thereby opening new horizons in molecular imaging.

PET/CT versus conventional CT for detection of lymph node metastases in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer

“…Moreover, 2 recent studies have shown that PET/MRI alone had a greater impact on clinical management compared to PET/CT alone [ 28 , 29 ]. However we are still awaiting a systematic study PET/MRI in bladder cancer.…”

Radiotherapy planning using MRI

“…It requires radio-labelling of exogenous agents, such as fluoro-deoxyglucose, but can detect signals at much lower concentrations (10 -12 molar) than MRS (mM) and therefore yields complementary information. Recently combined MR-PET systems have become available in which MR and PET data are acquired within the same examination (Partovi et al, 2014, Gaertner et al, 2013). This has required huge technological hurdles to be overcome to avoid serious image degradation in both modalities.…”

Simultaneous PET/MR head–neck cancer imaging: Preliminary clinical experience and multiparametric evaluation

“…Moreover, advanced MRI techniques (DWI, DCE and MR spectroscopy) yield functional information that may complement the findings of PET imaging. To date, several PET/MRI studies have shown promising results for clinical oncologic applications [8,9]. The best applications for PET/MRI imaging exist for HNC.…”