August 1, 2007 – Siemens recently revealed HD PET, reportedly the world's first high definition PET technology to offer sharper and clearly defined images across the entire field of view.
By utilizing a proprietary reconstruction technique, HD PET can reportedly provide distortion-free images throughout the entire field of view. This 2-millimeter resolution is said to enable physicians to clearly visualize the smallest of lesions from the center to the edges. Adding high definition to PET systems also enhances contrast. The improvement in signal to noise, which effectively doubles, reveals sharper images that allow the clinician to better differentiate between healthy and suspicious tissue.
The advantages of high definition with PET imaging means there is a chance of improved clinical outcomes for cancer diagnosis, disease staging, treatment and post-surgery/post-radiation monitoring. In terms of detection, HD PET may be able to improve the delineation of small abdominal lesions as well as small retroperitoneal lymph node metastases including testicular tumors, and cervical and uterine malignancies. HD PET provides visualization of small lesions that would otherwise be difficult to image.
For more information: www.usa.siemens.com/medical