Reinventing Molecular Imaging with Total-Body PET, Part I: Technical Revolution in Evolution

PET Clin. 2020 Oct;15(4):427-438. doi: 10.1016/j.cpet.2020.06.012. Epub 2020 Aug 11.

Abstract

Total-body PET (TB-PET) is a technical advancement providing improved signal detection (effective sensitivity). This is achieved through a novel extended detector geometry among many other fine attunements. This technical evolution will ripple through molecular imaging revolutionizing clinical practice beyond the expectations of its designers. This article explores how this leap forward in effective sensitivity through TB-PET could enable dose reduction, faster imaging, temporal resolution improvement, dynamic imaging, and the in vivo noninvasive study of clinical systems biology. TB-PET has the potential to be an enabler of disruptive innovations in molecular imaging. This will change the landscape of medical imaging.

Keywords: Molecular imaging; Parametric PET; Radiophenomics; Systems biology; Total-body PET.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods*