Hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT and PET/CT): Improving therapeutic decisions Journal Article


Authors: Delbeke, D.; Schoder, H.; Martin, W. H.; Wahl, R. L.
Article Title: Hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT and PET/CT): Improving therapeutic decisions
Abstract: The incremental diagnostic value of integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT images compared with PET or SPECT alone, or PET or SPECT correlated with a CT obtained at a different time includes the following: (1) improvement in lesion detection on both CT and PET or SPECT images, (2) improvement in the localization of foci of uptake resulting in better differentiation of physiological from pathologic uptake, (3) precise localization of the malignant foci, for example, in the skeleton vs soft tissue or liver vs adjacent bowel or node (4) characterization of serendipitous lesions, and (5) confirmation of small, subtle, or unusual lesions. The use of these techniques can occur at the time of initial diagnosis, in assessing the early response of disease to treatment, at the conclusion of treatment, and in continuing follow-up of patients. PET/CT and SPECT/CT fusion images affect the clinical management in a significant proportion of patients with a wide range of diseases by (1) guiding further procedures, (2) excluding the need of further procedures, (3) changing both inter- and intramodality therapy, including soon after treatment has been initiated, and (4) by providing prognostic information. PET/CT fusion images have the potential to provide important information to guide the biopsy of a mass to active regions of the tumor and to provide better maps than CT alone to modulate field and dose of radiation therapy. It is expected that the role of PET/CT and SPECT/CT in changing management will continue to evolve in the future and that these tools will be fundamental components of the truly "personalized medicine" we are striving to deliver. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: controlled study; review; fluorouracil; sunitinib; treatment planning; bone metastasis; cancer staging; brain tumor; diagnostic accuracy; endometrium cancer; colorectal cancer; gastrointestinal stromal tumor; imatinib; paraganglioma; computer assisted tomography; ovary cancer; breast cancer; lung cancer; urogenital tract cancer; biopsy; neuroendocrine tumor; pancreas carcinoma; prostate cancer; capromab pendetide in 111; diagnostic value; head and neck cancer; uterine cervix cancer; lymphoma; fluorodeoxyglucose f 18; computer assisted emission tomography; stomach cancer; bile duct carcinoma; thyroid cancer; gallbladder carcinoma; etidronic acid tc 99m; fluorine 18; gallium citrate ga 67; anus cancer; computer assisted radiotherapy; esophagus cancer; liver hemangioma; nasopharynx cancer; parathyroid adenoma; pheochromocytoma; rectum carcinoma; single photon emission computer tomography; testis cancer
Journal Title: Seminars in Nuclear Medicine
Volume: 39
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0001-2998
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2009-09-01
Start Page: 308
End Page: 340
Language: English
DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2009.03.002
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 19646557
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 7" - "Export Date: 30 November 2010" - "CODEN: SMNMA" - "Source: Scopus"
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Heiko Schoder
    552 Schoder