PET/MRI

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technique based on the detection of radioactivity after a small amount of a radioactive tracer is injected intravenously.

The method measures physiological function by looking at blood flow and metabolism, and it enables quantitative analysis of for example neurotransmitters or radiolabelled drugs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that measures how well the body’s protons realign after a strong magnetic field created by powerful magnets has forced the protons to align with the field. Depending on the time this takes, and the energy that is released, it is possible to distinguish different types of tissues and create images of them. Usually a contrast agent is added intravenously to increase the efficacy of the method.

Combing PET and MRI into PET-MRI results in a hybrid imaging technology that is used in several clinical fields, but mainly in oncology, cardiology and neurology.

At CTC, we have a close collaboration with the PET centre at Uppsala University Hospital, which is located just next to our first-in-human approved clinical research unit. We have performed several clinical trials including PET, MRI or PET-MRI within for example endocrinology.