Long Axial Field of View PET: A New Era of Quantitative PET Imaging for Prospective Applications Beyond Classical Theranostics.

The scope of molecular imaging can be expanded beyond pure theranostic pairs, defined as radiolabeled agents sharing the same molecular target or the same label, towards any image-guided therapy scheme regardless of the chemical relationship between the imaging and therapeutic agents.

Application of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography to measure volume and metabolic activity of arm muscles.

Objective: This study aimed to introduce a computed tomography (CT)-based tissue segmentation technique to quantify the volume and metabolic activity of the arm muscles using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) PET/CT.

Methods: Eighty-seven subjects from the CAMONA study were included. A semiautomated three-dimensional segmentation algorithm was used to highlight the muscle.

Comparative insights into mild cognitive impairment: A clinical case study with F-FDG and amyloid PET imaging.

Early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is crucial for initiating therapeutic interventions that may slow or prevent further cognitive deterioration. Mild cognitive impairment represents a transitional phase between normal cognitive aging and more severe forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Positron emission tomography (PET) can provide insight into the pathophysiology and progression of neurodegenerative processes associated with dementia and MCI using either fluorine-18 (F)-florbetapir, which detects beta-amyloid plaque burden, or F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG), which measures glucose metabolism.

Toward standardization: Assessing the reproducibility of radiomics features in partial volume-corrected brain PET images.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the reproducibility of radiomic features in brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging across different brain regions and partial volume correction (PVC) methods, and to identify optimal feature classes and correction strategies for reliable clinical modeling.

Methods: This study analyzed 76 hybrid brain PET/MR images. Radiomic features were extracted from 21 anatomically segmented brain regions under seven conditions: uncorrected PET and six PVC techniques, including reblurred Van Cittert (RVC), Richardson-Lucy (RL), region-based voxel-wise (RBV), iterative Yang (IY), multi-target correction (MTC), and parallel level set (PLS) methods.

Optimizing Stereotactic Intracranial Neoplasm Treatment: A Systematic Review of PET Integration with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Objective: Traditional imaging modalities for the planning of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) are non-specific and do not accurately delineate intracranial neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) for the planning of GKRS for intracranial neoplasms (ICNs) and the post-GKRS applications of PET for patient care.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were searched in order to assemble relevant studies regarding the uses of PET in conjunction with GKRS for ICN treatment.

Maxillary sinus inflammation assessment using FDG-PET/CT in head and neck cancer patients with photon, proton, and combined radiation therapy.

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients frequently develop post-radiation maxillary sinusitis. This study investigated how different radiation therapy (RT) modalities, photon, proton, and mixed photon/proton RT, affect maxillary sinus inflammation, using 2-[F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT).

Methods: Seventy-seven HNC patients treated with RT (30 with photon, 20 with proton, and 27 with mixed photon/proton RT) underwent FDG-PET/CT imaging before and 3 months after treatment.

Is US residence a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease?

Reducing risk factors is a useful way to counteract diseases. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the US is often quoted as 6.9 million out of 333 million people, or 2.

Clinical applications of fibroblast activation protein inhibitor positron emission tomography (FAPI-PET).

The discovery of fibroblast activation protein inhibitor positron emission tomography (FAPI-PET) has paved the way for a new class of PET tracers that target the tumor microenvironment (TME) rather than the tumor itself. Although F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is the most common PET tracer used in clinical imaging of cancer, multiple studies have now shown that the family of FAP ligands commonly outperform FDG in detecting cancers, especially those known to have lower uptake on FDG-PET. Moreover, FAPI-PET will have applications in benign fibrotic or inflammatory conditions.

Odense-Oxford PET Image Analysis (OPETIA): An FSL-based toolbox for multimodal neuroimaging.

Advanced analysis of MRI and PET images provides quantitative and accurate information about the brain structure and function, allowing differential diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment. Most clinical software lack accurate quantification. Here we developed a user-friendly multimodal neuroimage analysis toolbox, named Odense-Oxford PET Image Analysis (OPETIA), based on Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain Software Library (FSL) and Python programming language.

Reproducibility of F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography for Assessing Microcalcification in Coronary Arterial and Thoracic Aortic Atherosclerosis: Is the Signal below the Resolution of PET?

Purpose Of Review: The rising prevalence of atherosclerosis has prompted the development of novel diagnostic methods capable of identifying early-stage disease when therapeutic interventions may be most effective. F-sodium fluoride (NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a molecular imaging technique that can quantify subclinical microcalcification in arterial plaque. The focus of this review article is to discuss the utility of F-NaF PET/CT in assessing atherosclerotic disease of major susceptible blood vessels, particularly the coronary arteries and thoracic aorta.

Applications of Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor-PET in Interventional Oncology.

Molecular imaging-guided techniques increase precision in surgical procedure and reduce postinterventional morbidity. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) ligands may contribute to the superior preoperative assessment compared with conventional radionuclides due to its higher sensitivity and tumor delineation in epithelial malignancies. Wide spectrum of currently available FAP ligands including diagnostic and therapeutic emitters allows a flexibility regarding the optimal choice for individual need.

Vertebral Artery Microcalcification Detected by 18F-NaF PET/CT.

Intracranial atherosclerosis is a leading cause of stroke and cognitive dysfunction. Calcification of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques is commonly observed on noncontrast CT, yet structural imaging alone cannot visualize active microcalcifications characteristic of progressive atheroma. 18F-NaF is an emerging PET radiotracer of vascular microcalcification that may enable the detection of such pathophysiology.

[F]NaF PET/CT Imaging of Iliac Bones to Assess Bone Turnover.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of laterality, age, gender, BMI, and physical activity level on iliac bone turnover using [F]NaF PET/CT.

Procedures: Fifty-nine males and 44 females from the CAMONA study were analyzed. A region of interest (ROI) was drawn to segment the iliac bone using Hounsfield unit thresholds and morphological closing algorithm.

Comparative diagnostic performance of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT and [18 F]FDGPET/CT in biliary tract cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are aggressive malignancies with poor prognosis due to late-stage diagnosis. While [18 F]-FDG PET/CT is widely used for detection and staging, its sensitivity for certain BTC subtypes is limited, prompting the evaluation of 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT as a promising alternative.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT and [18 F]FDG PET/CT in detecting BTCs, including primary tumors, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases.

Peripheral Nervous System Complications after COVID-19 Vaccination.

While vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains crucial, neurological complications have been detected following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. The neurological complications of COVID-19 vaccination can be seen in both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In this study, we reviewed PNS complications after COVID-19 vaccination, their underlying mechanisms, diagnosis, and management.

PET imaging of atherosclerosis: artificial intelligence applications and recent advancements.

PET imaging has become a valuable tool for assessing atherosclerosis by targeting key processes such as inflammation and microcalcification. Among available tracers, 18F-sodium fluoride has demonstrated superior performance compared to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, particularly in detecting coronary artery disease. However, the role of other tracers remains underexplored, requiring further validation.

The advancement and utility of multimodal imaging in the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common spinal condition characterized by the deterioration of intervertebral discs, leading to chronic back pain and reduced mobility. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has long been the standard for late-stage DDD diagnosis, its limitations in early-stage detection prompt the exploration of advanced imaging methods. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using F- fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and F-sodium fluoride (NaF) has shown promise in identifying metabolic imbalances and age-related spinal degeneration, thereby complementing CT grading of the disease.

The unsafe profile of lecanemab.

Lack of data from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event System makes analyses of the risks of newly approved anti-Alzheimer's antibodies inadequate to determine whether such risks justify the minimal clinical benefits reported. A recent disproportionate analysis in the by Ge et al. is a case in point.

Efficacy of [Ga]Ga-FAPI-PET as a non-invasive evaluation method of liver fibrosis.

Introduction: Liver fibrosis is a chronic fibrosing hepatic disorder following recurrent injury, characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Early detection has a great clinical impact because 80-90% of hepatocellular carcinomas are known to develop in fibrotic or cirrhotic (end-stage fibrotic) livers. PET imaging with FAP ligands exhibited highly promising results in recent years to visualize fibrosis in various organs due to the crucial role of activated fibroblasts in fibrosing processes.

Radiation-Induced Coronary Artery Disease in Lung and Breast Cancer Patients: Insights from PET Imaging and Long-Term Risk Assessment.

Radiation-induced coronary artery disease (RI-CAD) is a significant cardiovascular complication for cancer survivors treated with thoracic radiation therapy (RT). Despite advances in RT techniques, exposure to the heart during treatment remains a critical factor influencing long-term cardiac outcomes, particularly in patients with breast and lung cancer. RI-CAD develops due to radiation-induced endothelial injury, inflammation, and accelerated atherosclerosis, presenting a unique and aggressive disease profile.

Associations of subclinical microcalcification and inflammation with carotid atheroma development: a dual-tracer PET/CT study.

Purpose: Carotid artery atherosclerosis, a significant manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and leading cause of stroke, develops through a gradual process of arterial inflammation and calcification. This study explores the relationship between arterial inflammation (18 F-FDG PET/CT) and vascular calcification (18 F-NaF PET/CT) in the left and right common carotid arteries (LCC/RCC) and their association with CVD and thromboembolic risk in patients with subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: A cohort of 115 subjects (73 healthy volunteers, 42 at-risk for CVD) underwent 18 F-NaF and 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging.

Evolving Role of PET Imaging in Assessing Vascular and Central Nervous System Complications of Radiation Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer.

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer is a cornerstone of treatment but can come with significant and lasting complications. Reduced vascularity and fibrosis heighten the risks of stroke, infection, and diminished quality of life. Advances in imaging technologies, such as fluorodeoxyglucose PET and sodium fluoride-PET, have emerged as critical tools for diagnosing and monitoring vascular inflammation and calcification, enabling earlier interventions and improved patient management.

Novel PET-CT-MR Imaging Based Quantitative Technique for Accurate Assessment of Radiation Induced Injuries.

Radiation-induced injuries (RIIs) are significant complications of radiation therapy used in cancer treatments and affect organs in a systemic fashion such as the heart, lungs, liver, and bone marrow. Such ionizing radiation leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and/or irreparable DNA damage, each of which can significantly impact patient's quality of life, underscoring the need for advanced diagnostic and imaging techniques. A novel combination of PET/Computed Tomography (CT) with Quantitative MR Imaging has emerged as a crucial tool for early diagnosis and timely evaluation of RIIs.