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Session 16: Nuclear Medicine and PET Applications
Sub Topics: PET/CT Imaging, SPECT Imaging, Oncology Imaging, Cardiac Nuclear Medicine, Neurological PET Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Radiopharmaceuticals, Theranostics, PET/MRI, Functional Imaging, Targeted Radionuclide Therapy, Radioisotope Applications, Whole-Body PET, PET Biomarkers, Hybrid Imaging, Nuclear Cardiology, Neurodegenerative Disorders Imaging, Inflammation and Infection Imaging, Personalized Medicine with PET, Dosimetry in Nuclear Medicine.
Overview
Nuclear Medicine and PET applications represent a cutting-edge domain in radiology, focusing on the functional and molecular imaging of organs and tissues. This specialty uses radioactive tracers and advanced imaging techniques to diagnose, stage, and monitor various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological conditions.
Key Areas of Nuclear Medicine & PET Applications:
Oncology Imaging:
PET/CT and PET/MRI play a central role in cancer detection, staging, treatment planning, and monitoring therapy response. Radiotracers such as FDG-PET are invaluable in evaluating tumors and metastasis.Cardiac Imaging:
Nuclear cardiology techniques, including myocardial perfusion imaging, assess coronary artery disease, myocardial viability, and cardiac function. PET allows for precise quantification of blood flow and metabolic activity in the heart.Neurological Imaging:
PET scans are used to study brain metabolism, perfusion, and receptor binding, aiding in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and other neurodegenerative conditions.Theranostics:
Combining diagnostics and targeted radionuclide therapy, theranostics enables personalized treatment approaches, particularly in prostate cancer (PSMA-PET) and neuroendocrine tumors (DOTATATE-PET).Radiopharmaceutical Development:
Innovations in radiotracers are expanding PET’s role in precision medicine, targeting specific molecular pathways and improving disease characterization.
Diagnostic Techniques:
PET/CT and PET/MRI hybrid imaging
SPECT/CT for functional and anatomical correlation
Radiopharmaceutical imaging and therapy
Dosimetry for therapy planning and safety
Clinical Relevance:
Nuclear medicine specialists collaborate closely with oncologists, cardiologists, neurologists, and radiologists to provide critical diagnostic and therapeutic insights. Their expertise drives advances in personalized medicine, enabling better disease characterization and optimized treatment strategies.
Summary:
Nuclear Medicine and PET applications in radiology bridge anatomy and function, offering unique insights into disease processes at the molecular level. This session will highlight advances in diagnostic imaging, therapeutic applications, and the future of precision radiology.