PET-MRI

PET-MRI is a medical imaging technique that combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) into a single procedure. This combination allows for simultaneous acquisition of metabolic function from PET and detailed anatomic structure from MRI.

Overview

PET-MRI is a hybrid imaging technology that incorporates MRI soft tissue morphological imaging and PET functional imaging. This procedure is expected to be beneficial for brain, liver, and pelvic medical imaging. It also has potential uses in cardiology. As of early 2014, it was the most expensive imaging technology with a cost of about 2.5 million euros.

Procedure

The procedure for a PET-MRI scan is similar to that of a PET-CT scan. However, instead of lying in a CT scanner, the patient lies in an MRI scanner. The combined system is currently available in few hospitals and imaging centers around the world.

Advantages

The main advantage of PET-MRI over PET-CT is that it provides detailed morphological imaging, which can be useful in certain clinical scenarios. It also has the advantage of not exposing the patient to ionizing radiation as the CT part of a PET-CT scan does.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of PET-MRI is its high cost. It is also more time-consuming than PET-CT and requires a longer patient cooperation. The procedure also requires a specific type of PET scanner that is compatible with the MRI.

See also

• Positron Emission Tomography
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• PET-CT

References

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