The potential advantages and workflow challenges of long axial field of view PET/CT

PET radiomics in lung cancer: advances and translational challenges

Radiomics is an emerging field of medical imaging that aims at improving the accuracy of diagnosis, prognosis, treatment planning and monitoring non-invasively through the automated or semi-automated quantitative analysis of high-dimensional image features. Specifically in the field of nuclear medicine, radiomics utilizes imaging methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to evaluate biomarkers related to metabolism, blood flow, cellular activity and some biological pathways. Lung cancer ranks among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally, and radiomics analysis has shown great potential in guiding individualized therapy, assessing treatment response, and predicting clinical outcomes. In this review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art radiomics progress in lung cancer, highlighting the potential benefits and existing limitations of this approach. The radiomics workflow was introduced first including image acquisition, segmentation, feature extraction, and model building. Then the published literatures were described about radiomics-based prediction models for lung cancer diagnosis, differentiation, prognosis and efficacy evaluation. Finally, we discuss current challenges and provide insights into future directions and potential opportunities for integrating radiomics into routine clinical practice.

Feasibility of One-Day PET/CT Scanning Protocol with 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 and 18F-FDG for the Detection of Ovarian Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of 1-d 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 and 18F-FDG (2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-d-glucose) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for detecting ovarian cancer recurrence and metastasis. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients who underwent 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT were divided into 1- and 2-d groups. Image acquisition, injection time, and total waiting time were compared. For the 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT scans, low-dose CT scans and low injection dosages were employed, and total radiation dose was assessed for both protocols. The comparative analysis included assessment of patient-based detection rates and lesion-based diagnostic efficacy. Results: The total waiting time was significantly shorter in the 1-d group than in the 2-d group (p = 0.000). The radiation doses stemming from internal radiation and external radiation between the groups showed no differences (p = 0.151 vs. 0.716). In the patient-based analysis, the detection rates for local recurrence, peritoneal, lymph node, and other metastases were not significantly different in both protocols (p ∈ [0.351, 1.000]). For the lesion-based analysis, no differences were noted in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy (p ∈ [0.371, 1.000]). Conclusions: The 1-d PET/CT protocol reduced waiting time and exhibited equivalent detectability compared with the 2-d protocol, suggesting its clinical value.

Innovations in imaging modalities: a comparative review of MRI, long-axial field-of-view PET, and full-ring CZT-SPECT in detecting bone metastases

The accurate diagnosis of bone metastasis, a condition in which cancer cells have spread to the bone, is essential for optimal patient care and outcome. This review provides a detailed overview of the current medical imaging techniques used to detect and diagnose this critical condition focusing on three cardinal imaging modalities: positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each of these techniques has unique advantages: PET/CT combines functional imaging with anatomical imaging, allowing precise localization of metabolic abnormalities; the SPECT/CT offers a wider range of radiopharmaceuticals for visualizing specific receptors and metabolic pathways; MRI stands out for its unparalleled ability to produce high-resolution images of bone marrow structures. However, as this paper shows, each modality has its own limitations. The comprehensive analysis does not stop at the technical aspects, but ventures into the wider implications of these techniques in a clinical setting. By understanding the synergies and shortcomings of these modalities, healthcare professionals can make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Furthermore, at a time when medical technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, this review casts a speculative eye towards future advances in the field of bone metastasis imaging, bridging the current state with future possibilities. Such insights are essential for both clinicians and researchers navigating the complex landscape of bone metastasis diagnosis.