Current Medical Imaging - Volume 7, Issue 3, 2011

Over the past three decades, we have witnessed significant advances in medical imaging, which have improved the assessment of a multitude of disorders with higher accuracy and more precise spatial resolution. The introduction of Computed Tomography (CT) in 1973 opened a new era in structural imaging, which has continued up to now with further improvements in the practical applications of this powerful modality. CT Read More

There has been a longstanding interest in multi-modality imaging especially in nuclear medicine where the lack of structural information in Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) images and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images makes it difficult to assess the precise location of tissue with metabolic uptake, whereas Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) can provide great Read More

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), either using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET), combined with noninvasive coronary angiography using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is now available for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The combination acquired in a hybrid scanner has shown to boost the advantages of either modality and compens Read More

Both structural and functional neuroimaging modalities have provided great insight into a variety of neurologic diseases. Techniques have now become available which allow coregistration of structural and functional imaging data, which have provided unique insights into neurologic function and pathophysiology. Hybrid SPECT/CT and PET/CT imaging platforms have further advanced understanding of brain structure/function. Read More

Combined structure-function approach utilizing the fusion of functional and anatomical modalities for more precise localization has been a major innovation of recent times in the arena of medical imaging. This approach is likely to make a major impact on the diagnosis and management of various benign and malignant disorders. The SPECT/CT and the PET/CT imaging systems are the two proof-of-principle examples that cle Read More

This mini-review describes how to perform PET/CT based radiotherapy dose planning and the advantages and possibilities obtained with the technique for radiation therapy. Our own experience since 2002 is briefly summarized from more than 2,500 patients with various malignant diseases undergoing radiotherapy planning with PET/CT prior to the treatment. The PET/CT, including the radiotherapy planning process Read More

The appearance of hybrid PET/CT scanners has made quantitative whole body scanning of radioactive tracers feasible. This paper deals with the novel concepts for assessing global organ function and disease activity based on combined functional (PET) and structural (CT or MR) imaging techniques, their advantages over current quantitative techniques and their potential clinical applications in the management of various Read More

Small animal positron emission tomography (PET) and computer tomography (CT) is an emerging field in preclinical imaging. High quality, state-of-the-art instruments are required for full optimization of the translational value of the small animal studies with PET and CT. However, with this achieved the possibilities are numerous and the role of preclinical imaging crucial for a prompt movement from bench to bedside. Sever Read More

We present a method with fusion of images of three modalities 18F-FDG PET, CT, and 3-D ultrasound (US) applied to imaging of the anal canal and the rectum. To obtain comparable geometries in the three imaging modalities, a plexiglas rod, with the same dimensions as the US transducer, is placed in the anal canal prior to the PET-CT examination. The method is based on manual co-registration of PET-CT images and 3-D US i Read More

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