title: Feasibility of simultaneous PET/MR imaging in the head and upper neck area.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this pilot study was to test and demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and upper neck area using a new hybrid PET/MRI system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients with malignant head and neck tumours were included in the pilot study. Directly after routine PET/CT imaging with a whole-body system using the glucose derivative 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) as a radiotracer additional measurements were performed with a prototype PET/MRI system for simultaneous PET and MR imaging. Physiological radiotracer uptake within regular anatomical structures as well as tumour uptake were evaluated visually and semiquantitatively (metabolic ratios) in relation to cerebellar uptake on the PET/MRI and PET/CT systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MR datasets showed excellent image quality without any recognisable artefacts caused by the inserted PET system. PET images obtained with the PET/MRI system exhibited better detailed resolution and greater image contrast in comparison to those from the PET/CT system. An excellent agreement between metabolic ratios obtained with both PET systems was found: R = 0.99 for structures with physiological tracer uptake, R = 0.96 for tumours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simultaneous PET/MRI of the head and upper neck area is feasible with the new hybrid PET/MRI prototype.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany. andreas.boss@usz.ch
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boss
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stegger
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bisdas
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolb
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schwenzer
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: Claus D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Claussen
authors.forename: Bernd J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Pichler
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pfannenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18