title: Clinical experience with the first combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography scanner in Australia.
abstract: Metabolic imaging with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is increasing rapidly worldwide because of superior accuracy compared with conventional non-invasive techniques used for evaluating cancer. Limited anatomical information from FDG-PET images alone dictates that complementary use with structural imaging is required to optimise benefit. Recently, combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners have overtaken standalone PET scanners as the most commonly purchased PET devices. We describe our experience of over 5500 scans performed since the first PET/CT scanner in Australia was commissioned at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), Melbourne, in January 2002. Clinical indications for PET/CT scans performed at PMCC largely reflect current Medicare reimbursement policy. Advantages of PET/CT include greater patient comfort and higher throughput, greater diagnostic certainty and accuracy, improved biopsy methods, and better treatment planning. We believe PET/CT will underpin more effective and efficient imaging paradigms for many common tumours, and lead to a decrease in imaging costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC. Eddie.Lau@petermac.org
authors.forename: W F Eddie
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Binns
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.forename: Shakher
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramdave
authors.forename: Florent
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cachin
authors.forename: Alexander G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pitman
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hicks
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18