Positron Emission Tomography in the UK

摘要

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a diagnostic imaging technology that is rapidly changing the way some cancers are staged, treated and monitored. The availability of clinical PET scanning in the UK is confined mainly to a small number of units operating in the South East, the largest being at Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals in London. As a research tool in cardiac and brain imaging, PET scanning has been available for more than 20 years but the progress from research tool to proven clinical modality has been slow owing to the complexity of the technique and the availability of positron emitting radiotracers.