Most patients undergo PET and MRI routinely in neuropsychiatric diseases. PET-MRI is the combination of these two examinations.

PET – MRI in Neurology

• Less radiation effect with better soft-tissue contrast is possible.
• Being able to perform multiple examinations in a single device enhances patient comfort.

Alzheimer’s/Dementia/Neurodegenerative Diseases

New quantitative techniques in MRI, such as functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging, can more accurately measure brain morphology in patients with cognitive impairment or suspected dementia. PET imaging is an established diagnostic tool in the evaluation of these diseases. The combination of PET – MRI enhances the diagnosis of causes of cognitive impairment or suspected dementia.

Brain Tumors

Brain tumor imaging with PET – MRI:

• Leads to better detection of brain lesions that can be underestimated or missed on a PET/CT.
• Improves diagnostic accuracy and changes the course of surgery and therapy planning.
• Corrects for head motion leading to a significant increase in temporal resolution.
• Differentiates between areas of necrosis, viable tissue and disease after surgery and radiation therapy.

Epilepsy

The combination of MRI and PET provides complementary information to assist physicians in evaluating both the cause and location of seizures within the brain.

Brain Activation Studies

Simultaneous PET – MRI may improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain activation disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.