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Clinical experience with the first combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography scanner in Australia
Author(s) -
Lau W F Eddie,
Binns David S,
Ware Robert E,
Ramdave Shakher,
Pitman Alexander G,
Hicks Rodney J
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06648.x
Subject(s) - positron emission tomography , medicine , nuclear medicine , scanner , positron emission tomography computed tomography , positron emission , tomography , radiology , medical physics , computed tomography , fluorodeoxyglucose , pet ct , neuroradiology , computer science , artificial intelligence , neurology , psychiatry
Metabolic imaging with fluorine‐18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) is increasing rapidly worldwide because of superior accuracy compared with conventional non‐invasive techniques used for evaluating cancer. Limited anatomical information from FDG‐PET images alone dictates that complementary use with structural imaging is required to optimise benefit. Recently, combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners have overtaken standalone PET scanners as the most commonly purchased PET devices. We describe our experience of over 5500 scans performed since the first PET/CT scanner in Australia was commissioned at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC), Melbourne, in January 2002. Clinical indications for PET/CT scans performed at PMCC largely reflect current Medicare reimbursement policy. Advantages of PET/CT include greater patient comfort and higher throughput, greater diagnostic certainty and accuracy, improved biopsy methods, and better treatment planning. We believe PET/CT will underpin more effective and efficient imaging paradigms for many common tumours, and lead to a decrease in imaging costs.