PET/MRI-knocking on the doors of the rich and famous

Br J Radiol. 2017 Aug;90(1077):20170347. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20170347. Epub 2017 Jul 27.

Abstract

Since 2010 the portfolio of positron emission tomography (PET)-based imaging has been expanded by industry with the introduction of combined whole-body PET/MRI systems with the intent of merging PET-based molecular imaging with the strengths of MRI. PET/MRI has created a lot of hype in the scientific community but comparatively little traction in the clinic. The first years of whole-body PET/MRI were used to address inherent technical challenges; however, it is now time to make use of the full potential of this integrated imaging modality. This opinion piece highlights the continuing challenges for the clinical adoption of PET/MRI and cautions against putting too much emphasis on comparisons with clinical PET/CT. In order for PET/MRI to enter clinical practice, cross-specialty co-operation must be pursued with rigour and use-case scenarios must be propagated, following long-awaited expansion of reimbursement strategies and protocol standardization.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / economics*
  • Multimodal Imaging / economics*
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / economics*
  • Whole Body Imaging / economics
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods