Practical setting and potential applications of interventions guided by PET/MRI

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Multimodality imaging, including PET/MRI, has transitioned from research to clinical practice.
• PET/MRI offers unique advantages like quantitative physiological data, advanced MRI characteristics, and reduced radiation exposure.
• PET/MRI guidance for interventions presents new therapeutic possibilities but requires specific technical and organizational adaptations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a practical setting and potential applications of PET/MRI guidance for interventional procedures.
• To explore the integration of focused ultrasound (FUS) ablation with PET/MRI for diagnostics, planning, and intervention.
• To address technical and organizational challenges in adapting MRI suites for interventional purposes.

Main Methods:

• Developing a supporting infrastructure for PET/MRI-guided interventions using state-of-the-art technology.
• Implementing remote control, in-room image display, and communication systems.
• Integrating additional devices like a FUS platform and an MR-compatible robotic system for precise FUS equipment positioning.

Main Results:

• Feasibility of interventional PET/MRI was demonstrated with an exemplary experimental setup.
• Most PET/MRI sites can be upgraded for interventions with minimal modifications (communication, in-room display, system control).
• The developed infrastructure supports broad preclinical adaptation for interventional procedures.

Conclusions:

• PET/MRI guidance is a feasible approach for interventional procedures, particularly for FUS tumor ablation.
• Upgrading existing PET/MRI facilities for interventional use is achievable with add-ons and modifications.
• Advancing preclinical research in interventional PET/MRI can facilitate translation to clinical settings.