Feasibility of sequential PET/MRI using a state-of-the-art small animal PET and a 1 T benchtop MRI.
OBJECTIVE
Combined PET/MRI studies receive increasing attention, as their combination allows deeper insight into disease progression. We evaluated a novel 1 T benchtop MRI scanner (1T-MRI) for its use in sequential PET/MRI studies.


METHODS
Phantom studies were performed, addressing the attenuation caused by the MRI coils. For in vivo studies, PET/MRI data acquired with the 1T-MRI were compared with data using a conventional small animal high-field MRI (7T-MRI) in combination with the same PET scanner.


RESULTS
Phantom and in vivo measurements show that the animal beds have no negative impact on the PET scanner performance compared to the 7T-MRI animal bed. Representative images of various animal studies are shown, indicating a wide field for sequential PET-benchtop MRI applications.


CONCLUSIONS
Phantom and in vivo data indicate that sequential PET/MRI studies with this novel setup are comparable to sequential PET/MRI studies using a 7T-MRI in combination with a dedicated PET scanner.
Laboratory for Preclinical Imaging and Imaging Technology of the Werner Siemens-Foundation, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. A.Schmid@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Andreas
A
Schmid
Jennifer
J
Schmitz
Julia G
JG
Mannheim
Florian C
FC
Maier
Kerstin
K
Fuchs
Hans F
HF
Wehrl
Bernd J
BJ
Pichler
D000818:Animals; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods*