Summary:In clinical practice different CT imaging protocols are implemented within combined PET/CT acquisition protocols. From a radiologist´s perspective the full potential of PET/ CT for oncology imaging can be used only by exploring the full capacity of the CT. This mandates the use of oral and intravenous contrast material as well as a CT image quality which proves diagnostically sufficient by radiology standards. The integration of a fully-diagnostic CT exam portion into combined PET/CT is demanding and requires adjustments of CT acquisition protocols. Given the use of the CT for CT-based attenuation correction potential PET/CT image artefacts have to be considered as well. In this paper we review radiological perspectives on PET/CT imaging.
Summary:PET is being considered a diagnostic commodity in clinical practice worldwide and thus receives increasing attention by health insurances and governmental organizations. In Germany, however, neither PET nor PET/CT are subject to reimbursement. This renders clinical PET and PET/CT imaging a challenge both in a general hospital environment and in private practice. This article describes briefly these challenges, which are not solely related to turf battles and associated costs.
