PET/MRI: a novel hybrid imaging technique. Major clinical indications and preliminary experience in Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT In recent years, medical imaging with hybrid techniques has widely accepted and employed in clinical routine. PET/MRI offers significant advantages, including excellent contrast and resolution and reduced ionizing radiation, as compared to well-established PET/CT. Therefore, PET/MRI is a promising modality for oncologic imaging of some regions, such as brain, head and neck, liver and pelvis. This article set out to analyze clinical conditions that could benefit from PET/MRI imaging based on our caseload. The potential of PET/MRI to become the imaging modality of choice for assessment of neurologic and oncologic conditions associated with soft tissues is highlighted. Clinical aspects of PET/MRI and its application to clinical cases are illustrated with examples extracted from the authors’ preliminary experience.

Keywords

• Positron-emission tomography/methods
• Magnetic resonance imaging/methods
• Tomography, x-ray computed/methods
• Pelvic neoplasms
• Prostatic neoplasms
• Neuroimaging