The Role of Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography in Integrated Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography Study

Abstract

Computed Tomography -Clinical Applications 294 2. PET technique -Basic and advance 2.1 Basic PET technique PET is a nuclear imaging technique which detects abnormal tissues with the help of molecular imaging probe like flurodeoxyglucose (FDG), dopa, fluoroethylcholine (FLT) and fluoroethylthymidine (FET). These probes can be tagged with radioisotopes like 18-Fluorine ( 18 F) and carbon ( 11 C , 12 C). These unstable isotopes while emitting beta plus (β + ) rays will enable the PET camera to localize the highest decaying activity in the body. The process can be captured and image. However, due to poor resolution of PET camera, a standalone PET system yields poor lesion localization. To improve the resolution, transmission from Germanium-68 isotope was utilized for attenuation correction but the technique is time consuming. All new PET systems are now improved by incorporation with a CT system. The CT parameters are used for attenuation correction of PET images. The new integrated system is capable in delivering higher quality images with improved resolution (Figure 1) . The time spent for each examination is shorter in comparison to using the conventional old PET system.