Feasibility of Sequential PET/MRI Using a State-of-the-Art Small Animal PET and a 1Â T Benchtop MRI

• Published in: Molecular imaging and biology 2013-04, Vol.15 (2), p.155
• Main Authors: Schmid, Andreas, Schmitz, Jennifer, Mannheim, Julia G, Maier, Florian C, Fuchs, Kerstin, Wehrl, Hans F, Pichler, Bernd J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1536-1632; 1860-2002
• DOI: 10.1007/s11307-012-0577-8

Combined PET/MRI studies receive increasing attention, as their combination allows deeper insight into disease progression. We evaluated a novel 1Â T benchtop MRI scanner (1T-MRI) for its use in sequential PET/MRI studies. Phantom studies were performed, addressing the attenuation caused by the MRI coils. For in vivo studies, PET/MRI data acquired with the 1T-MRI were compared with data using a conventional small animal high-field MRI (7T-MRI) in combination with the same PET scanner. Phantom and in vivo measurements show that the animal beds have no negative impact on the PET scanner performance compared to the 7T-MRI animal bed. Representative images of various animal studies are shown, indicating a wide field for sequential PET-benchtop MRI applications. Phantom and in vivo data indicate that sequential PET/MRI studies with this novel setup are comparable to sequential PET/MRI studies using a 7T-MRI in combination with a dedicated PET scanner.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]