title: Optimization of the protocols for the use of contrast agents in PET/CT studies.
abstract: The introduction of PET/CT scanners in clinical practice in 1998 has improved care for oncologic patients throughout the clinical pathway, from the initial diagnosis of disease through the evaluation of the response to treatment to screening for possible recurrence. The CT component of a PET/CT study is used to correct the attenuation of PET studies; CT also provides anatomic information about the distribution of the radiotracer. CT is especially useful in situations where PET alone can lead to false positives and false negatives, and CT thereby improves the diagnostic performance of PET. The use of intravenous or oral contrast agents and optimal CT protocols have improved the detection and characterization of lesions. However, there are circumstances in which the systematic use of contrast agents is not justified. The standard acquisition in PET/CT scanners is the whole body protocol, but this can lead to artifacts due to the position of patients and respiratory movements between the CT and PET acquisitions. This article discusses these aspects from a constructive perspective with the aim of maximizing the diagnostic potential of PET/CT and providing better care for patients.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Diagnòstic per la Imatge, Hospital Sant Joan Despí-Moisès Broggi, Sant Joan Despí (Barcelona), España. Electronic address: laura.pelegri@sanitatintegral.org.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pelegrí Martínez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kohan
authors.affiliation: Unitat PET-TC IDI, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Institut d'Investigació Biomédica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona), España.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vercher Conejero
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Artefactos; Artifacts; Contrast media; Imaging protocols; Medios de contraste; Oncology; Oncología; PET-CT; PET-TC; Protocolos de imagen; Radiación; Radiation