Practical guide for implementing hybrid PET/MR clinical service: lessons learned from our experience

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Traditionally, PET and MR imaging used separate systems, causing temporal delays and complex data fusion.
• Interpreting separate PET and MR studies requires cognitive fusion or intensive post-processing by specialists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a roadmap for the clinical implementation of hybrid PET/MR systems.
• To discuss essential aspects including hardware, personnel, safety, quality, and reimbursement.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advances in hybrid PET/MR hardware and software.
• Discussion based on clinical experience at NYU Langone Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic.

Main Results:

• Hybrid PET/MR systems allow simultaneous or near-simultaneous acquisition of PET and MR images.
• This integration simplifies image interpretation and enhances diagnostic capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid PET/MR technology offers significant advantages over sequential imaging.
• Successful clinical implementation requires careful consideration of system specifics, personnel training, and operational protocols.