Physicians are always looking for the best way to diagnose and treat your medical problems.

 

Confronted with complex cardiology, neurology, oncology and orthopedic cases, they may turn to 'hybrid' imaging to help improve their ability to see what's wrong.

 

Hybrid imaging is a new class of diagnostic imaging that captures both functional and anatomical information in a single patient visit.

 

Hybrid imaging provides not only more information, but better information, resulting in greater clinician confidence.

 

Seeing the functional

Nuclear medicine studies such as PET (Positron emission tomography) and SPECT (Single photon emission computed tomography) visualize how well a part of your body is functioning - at the metabolic or cellular level.

 

• PET is used primarily for oncology and neurology 
• SPECT is used primarily for cardiac and bone studies

 

While PET and SPECT provide an excellent ability to target disease on the cellular level, they have difficulty defining exactly where those cells are in relation to the organs and bones in your body.

 

Adding the anatomical

Computed Tomography (CT) imaging – sometimes called CAT scanning – combines X-rays with advanced computer processing technology to create an accurate, detailed, anatomic image of your internal structures and organs. 3DCT scans allow doctors to view these internal organs and structures from a variety of angles.

 

Better visualization

A PET/CT or SPECT/CT hybrid system merges the two imaging technologies into a single exam experience. PET and SPECT provide the functional information, and CT helps pinpoint the exact anatomical location of the area in question.

 

The ability to review nuclear and CT information together enables clinicians to define the severity as well as location of disease, which leads to potentially improved decision-making and the most appropriate therapy.

 

Systems like the Philips GEMINI TF PET/CT and the Precedence SPECT/CT can provide distinct advantages:

 

• More information helps lead to easier diagnosis 
• Shorter time to diagnosis 
• Enhanced physician confidence 
• Faster exam time

 

Assists in non-invasive pre-surgical planning

According to Dr. Scharf, Chief of Nuclear Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, images provided by the Philips Precedence SPECT/CT system are improving confidence levels for both patients and physicians, saving time and most importantly, enabling non-invasive pre-surgical planning. “Physicians can now see what the surgical field looks like in detail, from an anatomical and physiological perspective, before operating, which is an amazing advance.”

 

Positioned for the future

Philips hybrid systems provide new opportunities to manage some of the world's most challenging medical conditions. The synergy of two imaging techniques acting as one helps the physician to improve overall patient care and shorten time to treatment.

 

- December 2007

 

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