MR-PET, the Potential for Combined Imaging Modalities

Simon R. Cherry ¹

No single imaging modality provides the optimal combination of high spatial and temporal resolution, and high sensitivity for imaging functionally-relevant targets. However, combinations of modalities may approach this ideal, allowing the strengths of more than one technique to be integrated in a single imaging system. The combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and MR techniques is particularly attractive, allowing for high spatial resolution and sensitivity, with accurate spatial and temporal registration of data between the two datasets. This talk with trace the development of PET/MR systems, demonstrate the success of early prototypes and speculate on the uses for PET/MR technology.