Clinical application of PET/MRI in oncology

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2016 Aug;44(2):265-76. doi: 10.1002/jmri.25161. Epub 2016 Mar 23.

Abstract

Hybrid imaging with integrated positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combines the advantages of the high-resolution anatomic data from MRI and functional imaging data from PET, and has the potential to improve the diagnostic evaluation of various types of cancers. The clinical oncologic applications of this newest hybrid imaging technology are evolving and substantial efforts are underway to define the role of PET/MRI in routine clinical use. The current published literature suggests that PET/MRI may play an important role in the evaluation of patients with certain types of malignancies, involving anatomic locations such as the pelvis and the liver. The purpose of this article is to review the current published PET/MRI literature in specific body oncologic applications. In addition, PET/MRI protocols and some of the technical issues of this hybrid imaging will be briefly discussed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:265-276.

Keywords: PET/MR; gastrointestinal malignancies; gynecological malignancies; hybrid imaging; lung cancer; prostate cancer; simultaneous acquisition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity