Simultaneous MR/PET imaging of the human brain: feasibility study.
The purpose of this study was to apply a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-compatible positron emission tomographic (PET) detector technology for simultaneous MR/PET imaging of the human brain and skull base. The PET detector ring consists of lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) scintillation crystals in combination with avalanche photodiodes (APDs) mounted in a clinical 3-T MR imager with use of the birdcage transmit/receive head coil. Following phantom studies, two patients were simultaneously examined by using fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET and MR imaging and spectroscopy. MR/PET data enabled accurate coregistration of morphologic and multifunctional information. Simultaneous MR/PET imaging is feasible in humans, opening up new possibilities for the emerging field of molecular imaging.
Schlemmer
Heinz-Peter W
HP
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. heinz-peter.schlemmer@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Pichler
Bernd J
BJ
Schmand
Matthias
M
Burbar
Ziad
Z
Michel
Christian
C
Ladebeck
Ralf
R
Jattke
Kirstin
K
Townsend
David
D
Nahmias
Claude
C
Jacob
Pradeep K
PK
Heiss
Wolf-Dieter
WD
Claussen
Claus D
CD
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18