PET has been a valuable research tool in academic institutions since the '70s, but its move into clinical practice in community hospitals has just begun. PET has undergone spectacular growth in the fields of nuclear medicine, radiology, and oncology. The burgeoning world of PET is reflected in standing room only CME courses at scientific meetings such as the Radiology Society of North America and the Society for Nuclear Medicine.
This book will provide nuclear medicine practitioners, radiologists, oncologists, and neurologists with a practical overview of the basic principles and clinical applications of PET. Emphasis is placed on the familiarization of normal distribution, artefacts, and common imaging agents such as FDG in conjunction with CT, MRI, and US to establish the clinical effectiveness of PET. Practical understanding of updated PET scanners, image process and quantification of PET measurements is also discussed. With contributions from leaders in the PET community, the book deals with the basic principles, instrumentation, fusion, radiopharmaceuticals, radiosynthesis, safety and cost analysis of PET. The clinical section of the book will focus on the technique and indications of PET. There is also a unique atlas as well as comprehensive coverage of essential clinical PET studies in neurology, cardiology, and oncology.