Applications for preclinical PET/MRI

Currently, the combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a hybrid imaging modality is receiving great attention not only in its emerging clinical applications but also in the preclinical field. Several prototypes based on several different types of PET detector technology have been developed in recent years, some of which have been used for first preclinical studies. This article provides an overview of currently available PET systems and considerations for combined PET/MRI workflows, and summarizes the results of the first studies performed on dedicated preclinical PET/MRI systems. The article also highlights other research using PET and MRI in combination and highlights potential benefits for integrated systems.