PET/MRI vs. PET/CT for Pediatric Oncology

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) along with Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) is most beneficial in detecting staging of the pediatric cancer. This study was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine. Researchers from the University of Munich stated that for diagnosis, MRI is better than PET but for follow-up exams FDG-PET is better.

“MRI is recommended as the method of choice during primary diagnosis and should be complemented by FDG-PET in cases of unclear multifocal disease,” said study co-author Dr. Thomas Pfluger from the university’s department of nuclear medicine. “For follow up, FDG-PET is the most effective [modality].”

According to a new research published in the RSNA Radiology journal, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with Computed Tomography (PET) provide equal efficacy as Computed Tomography (CT) combined with PET. Researchers performed a study in which CT/PET is compared with MRI/PET for the detection of lesions. They also noted the amount of fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. For the purpose of the study, nine boys and nine girls with a median age of 14 were selected. Various examinations containing 18F-FDG PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/MR were performed.  PET standardized uptake values (SUVs) were quantified with the volume of interest measurements in lesions and healthy tissues. The MR based PET values are compared with µ-maps. 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose and CT parameters were used for the estimation of the radiation dose.

Results: The results showed that the lesion detection rate of the PET/MRI and PET/CT were similar. It is also noted that PET/MRI showed significant radiation dose detection as compared to PET/CT.

Conclusion:

Researchers concluded that PET/MRI is better than PET/CT for pediatric oncology patients in terms of radiation exposure because radiation exposure is less in PET/MRI and both PET/MRI and PET/CT offers same detection rate.