title: Hybrid 18F-FDG PET-MRI of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis: initial results.
abstract: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET (18F-FDG PET) is highly sensitive to inflammatory changes within the synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the highest spatial resolution for soft tissue can be achieved with MRI. Here, we report on the first true hybrid PET-MRI examination of the hand in early RA exploiting the advantages of both modalities. PET-MRI was performed with a prototype of an APD-based magneto-insensitive BrainPET detector (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) operated within a standard 3T MR scanner (MAGNETOM Trio, Siemens). PET images were normalized, random, attenuation and scatter-corrected, iteratively reconstructed and calibrated to yield standardized uptake values (SUV) of 18F-FDG uptake. T1-weighted TSE in coronal as well as sagittal orientation prior to and following Gadolinium administration were acquired. Increased 18F-FDG uptake was present in synovitis and tenovaginitis as identified on contrast-enhanced MRI. The tracer distribution was surrounding the metacarpophalangeal joints II and III. Maximum SUV of 3.1 was noted. In RA, true hybrid 18F-FDG PET-MRI of the hand is technically feasible and bears the potential to directly visualize inflammation.
authors: Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine-4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany. dr.miese@gmx.de
authors: Falk
authors: F
authors: Miese
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Scherer
authors: Benedikt
authors: B
authors: Ostendorf
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Heinzel
authors: Rotem S
authors: RS
authors: Lanzman
authors: Patric
authors: P
authors: Kröpil
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Blondin
authors: Hubertus
authors: H
authors: Hautzel
authors: Hans-Jörg
authors: HJ
authors: Wittsack
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Schneider
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Antoch
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Herzog
authors: N Jon
authors: NJ
authors: Shah
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