Workflow and Protocol Considerations

The introduction of simultaneous PET/MRI brought a large variety of possibilities in research and clinical applications for hybrid imaging. Compared to the clinically very successful PET/CT, the MRI component in PET/MRI offers an almost unlimited number of possibilities of different protocols based on the almost infinite variations of MRI pulse sequences. Exactly based on that reason, there is a necessity to reduce excessive imaging times to achieve clinical efficiency. Precise and indication-based protocols that provide specific workflows are needed to transform PET/MRI into a cost-effective imaging modality in addition to PET/CT. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of comprehensive considerations regarding clinical workflow concepts, imaging protocols, and image analysis in simultaneous PET/MRI and hopefully inspire the readership to realize the need for such optimization.

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