Benefits and Drawbacks of PET and Functional MRI Detailed
At the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology, a presentation about the forthcoming developments for functional MR and PET studies were described. News about the presentation was described in Diagnostic Imaging.
One type of study already available at most facilities entails integration of functional methods, such as diffusion or perfusion. This can be completed with the availability of modern contrast media materials and innovative sequence designs with standard MRI approaches. The ability to complete such easily permits completion of a combined assessment during one examination. Though MR is a less sensitive imaging approach than PET, fMRI can provide comparisons for some studies.
fMRI also provides benefits compared to CT perfusion studies. CT imaging, in general, is more widely available, easier to perform, completed in a shorter time frame, and findings are simpler to quantify. However, the results from the tests provide limited information about anatomy and have a lower level of sensitivity for detecting the contrast agent. An additional downside of CT is a higher level of radiation exposure.
PET/CT and PET alone, alternatively, provide extensive information. This modality is particularly useful in the assessment of malignancy, as this imaging can provide staging information, detects recurrence, and monitors treatment response. A recent lead article published in Health Imaging magazine, noted on HospitalBuyer, noted the benefits of using PET/CT particularly for patients with solid malignancies.
A number of developments are underway for PET. One of the most exciting of which is the creation of molecular imaging probes. Two different tracers can detect the presence of proliferative activity and hypoxia, respectively. Currently, assessment of these two markers relevant to the assessment of cancer can only be completed with pathologic examination of specimens.
Functional MRI offers numerous advantages over standard MRI. This type of examination provides information about physiology/pathophysiology and morphology. As such, the imaging tool is useful for completing perfusion assessment in a variety of indications including oncology, neurodegenerative disease, rheumatism, and stroke. Some of these indications are also appropriate for diffusion MRI.
March 19, 2008 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Radiology