PET/MRI: Where might it replace PET/CT?

Abstract

Simultaneous positron emission tomography and MRI (PET/MRI) is a technology that combines the anatomic and quantitative strengths of MR imaging with physiologic information obtained from PET. PET and computed tomography (PET/ CT) performed in a single scanning session is an established technology already in widespread and accepted use worldwide. Given the higher cost and complexity of operating and interpreting the studies obtained on a PET/MRI system, there has been question as to which patients would benefit most from imaging with PET/MRI versus PET/CT. In this article, we compare PET/MRI with PET/CT, detail the applications for which PET/MRI has shown promise and discuss impediments to future adoption. It is our hope that future work will prove the benefit of PET/MRI to specific groups of patients, initially those in which PET/CT and MRI are already performed, leveraging simultaneity and allowing for greater degrees of multiparametric evaluation.

Utility of 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging in patients with recurrent gynecological malignancies prior to pelvic exenteration

“…Combined PET and MRI is an emerging technology that has the increased soft tissue contrast while reducing ionizing radiation exposure 16. It integrates morphological and structural information afforded by MRI with functional information from PET 17. Recent publication by Ehman et al highlights the promising use of PET/MRI in evaluation of patients with cervical cancer 17.…”

The First Application of Positron Emission Tomography/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Russia

“…Высокий мягкотканый контраст МРТ-серий позволяет проводить точную диагностику очаговых поражений печени. Так, чувствительность и специфичность выявления очаговых образований печени на МРТ составляет 94 и 82% соответственно [3]. В представленном нами случае при многофазной КТ мелкие метастазы в печени не визуализировались, а при ПЭТ/КТ не было отмечено накопления в них РФП в связи с их низкой метаболической активностью.…”

“…Несмотря на недавнее внедрение ПЭТ/МРТ в клиническую практику, уже доказано, что в большинстве случаев результаты ПЭТ/МРТ схожи с результатами ПЭТ/КТ, а в случаях новообразований головы, шеи, малого таза и в некоторых случаях рецидива злокачественных новообразований ПЭТ/МРТ превосходит ПЭТ/КТ. Соответственно за счет более высокой информативности метода и снижения лучевой нагрузки ПЭТ/МРТ может заменить ПЭТ/КТ в некоторых областях медицины [3]. В данном клиническом случае мы представляем описание первого опыта применения ПЭТ/МРТ в России.…”

Future Perspective of the Application of Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography-MR Imaging in Musculoskeletal Disorders

“…14 Simultaneous PET and MRI (integrated PET/MRI) has high potential to improve the noninvasive diagnosis of PJI in 1 single examination, because it combines the functional information gathered from PET and the excellent anatomic detail and soft tissue contrast from MRI. 50…”