State-of-the-Art Nuclear Imaging computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) have become integral parts of clinical practice in the past several decades. Both modalities detect the emission of radio-tracers, and the primary differences between the two lie in the design and construction of their detectors. In SPECT, the gamma radiation is down converted to optical photons in a scintillator, and these photons are detected by a series of cameras which are arranged in a circle. Each camera consists of a collimator, scintillator, and photosensors. Sodium iodide (NaI) is the scintillator of choice for SPECT.
Nuclear Medicine Diagnostics: Accuracy, Safety, and Innovation
PET systems typically rely on indirect detection of gamma radiation by semiconductors, which convert the incident gamma rays into electrons and holes in a sensor. These sensors are arranged in a pyramidal structure which is designed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. The sensitivity of a PET detector depends on its energy resolution, timing resolution, and spatial resolution.
The use of gamma imaging to visualize infectious pathophysiology has grown significantly in recent years because of its ability to identify specific, pathogen-specific radio-tracers. Combining these nuclear medicine modalities with structural modalities such as PET/CT and PET/MRI can improve diagnosis and treatment.
On 1/17/2021, EJNMMI Editor-in-Chief Prof. Arturo Chiti sent an email to all the Associate Editors inviting them to propose a special issue that would capture the state-of-the-art and emerging trends in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Weibo Cai immediately responded with a proposal for a special issue of EJNMMI, entitled “State-of-the-Art Nuclear Imaging” (Fig. 1).
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