Monday, June 15, 2009

PET/MRI Combination Might Improve Breast CA Visualization

Filed under: in the news...

Brookhaven National Laboratory researchers are developing a new imaging modality that combines PET and MRI to help identify abnormalities within breast tissue. The PET detection ring shown above would fit inside an MRI scanner and the two would complement each others' data streams for better visualization. The new technology is being unveiled this week at the Society for Nuclear Medicine 56th Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

From the Society for Nuclear Medicine:

When completed, the dedicated breast PET-MRI system will consist of a modular 3D tomographic PET scanner that is inserted inside a dedicated breast MRI coil produced by Aurora Technologies, Inc allowing both PET and MRI images to be taken simultaneously. The modularity of the PET system would allow for the scanner diameter to be adjusted according to patient breast size. Researchers expect the combined modality scanner will provide anatomical information from the MRI to enhance the resolution provided by PET. At the same time, the predictive power of PET in identifying the type of tumor should be able to overcome MRI technology's traditionally high false-positive rates.

Based on the positive preliminary results, researchers expect to begin testing the system shortly with breast cancer patients.

Press release: Prototype Breast Cancer Imaging System May Improve Patient Care

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