Patient Safety Considerations for Combined PET/MR Imaging

Standalone PET systems have ceased to be commercially available and have systematically been replaced by hybrid PET/CT systems. Combining functional PET information with the CT-guided localization of tumor lesions has made PET/CT the modality of choice for a vast majority of oncological indications. In addition, the CT data can be used to correct the PET data for attenuation effects. Meanwhile, new advances in PET detector hardware have led to integrated clinical PET/MRI systems allowing simultaneous acquisition of both PET and MR data. APD-based (Avalanche Photon Diode) or SiPM-based (Silicon Photon Multipliers) PET detectors are MR compatible and minimize the interference between the PET and MR components. Hybrid PET/MRI systems are currently being introduced to the market with an install base that is constantly growing. In terms of patient safety, both the PET and MR imaging component of these hybrid systems need to be considered. This chapter gives on overview of patient safety issues related to PET imaging and the ionizing radiation of the administered PET tracer and the safety considerations for MR imaging, essentially related to the corresponding nonionizing radiation.

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