A team from Institut Langevin, INSERM and Université Paris Descartes, led by Bertrand Tavitian and Mickael Tanter have combined traditional PET-CT and ultrafast ultrasound imaging (UUI) to create a new hybrid imaging modality that can identify metabolic activities while capturing rapid phenomena with high resolution. This approach should yield simultaneous anatomical, metabolic and functional information while being relatively low in cost. In a proof-of-concept study, the team details how the technology could benefit the fields of oncology and cardiology.

 

Prof. Tavitian and Prof. Tanter will hold a Webinar for ESHIMT on “PETRUS: Position Emission Topmography Registered Ultrasound” (November 21, 2018) – Register here!

 

Abstract

Positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) is the most sensitive molecular imaging modality, but it does not easily allow for rapid temporal acquisition. Ultrafast ultrasound imaging (UUI)—a recently introduced technology based on ultrasonic holography—leverages frame rates of up to several thousand images per second to quantitatively map, at high resolution, haemodynamic, biomechanical, electrophysiological and structural parameters. Here, we describe a pre-clinical scanner that registers PET–CT and UUI volumes acquired simultaneously and offers multiple combinations for imaging. We demonstrate that PET–CT–UUI allows for simultaneous images of the vasculature and metabolism during tumour growth in mice and rats, as well as for synchronized multi-modal cardiac cine-loops. Combined anatomical, functional and molecular imaging with PET–CT–UUI represents a high-performance and clinically translatable technology for biomedical research.

Read the full paper here.

 

 

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