SPECT/CT - new possibilities in conventional nuclear medicine imaging

The recently introduced hybrid-cameras which combine single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and spiral-CT offer the opportunity to exactly correlate the functional information from scintigraphic studies using gamma emitters with morphology in one session. SPECT/spiral-CT offers the opportunity to adapt the field of view of the CT scan based on the SPECT findings (SPECT-guided CT). Thus, the additional radiation exposure by CT can be significantly reduced. One of the main indications for SPECT/CT is bone scintigraphy. In bone scintigraphy, the differentiation between degenerative processes and bone metastases is still difficult. Therefore, additional radiological studies are regularly needed. Our experience shows that, in addition to an improved diagnostic accuracy, SPECT/spiral-CT considerably abbreviates the diagnostic process. This was also the case in diverse other oncologic patients in whom scintigraphy with 131I, 111In, pentetreotide, 123I-MIBG, 99mTc-MIBI or sentinel lymph node scintigraphy was performed. In summary, SPECT/CT is able to improve patients' perspectives by faster, more precise and more reliable diagnoses. (orig.)