title: Value of (18)F NaF PET/CT in the Detection and Global Quantification of Cardiovascular Molecular Calcification as Part of the Atherosclerotic Process.
abstract: Detection of early ongoing cardiovascular molecular calcification and its quantification through (18)F-labeled sodium fluoride ((18)F NaF) PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging has been a recent addition to the diagnostic armamentarium of molecular imaging for the atherosclerotic process. At present, visual detection of molecular calcification as well as its regional quantification on ((18)F NaF) PET/CT are suboptimal, mainly because of the very low degree of uptake of this radiotracer in the heart and major vessels, and hence subject to the partial volume effect. Calculation of cardiovascular (18)F NaF uptake in the heart and arterial wall using automated software is an innovative approach.(18)F-NaF uptake in the heart and arterial wall using automated software is an innovative approach.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Tata Memorial Hospital Annexe, Jerbai Wadia Road, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sandip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrinology, PET-CT Center LINZ, St Vincent's Hospital, Seilerstaette 4, A-4010, Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beheshti
authors.affiliation: Division of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Abass
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alavi