FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2003
Contact: Sharon Boston sboston@umm.edu 410-328-8919
Ellen Beth Levitt eblevitt@umm.edu 410-328-8919

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER DEBUTS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED BODY IMAGING SCANNERS

PET/CT provides detailed 3-D images for cancer and cardiac treatment
and is the first "open" scanner of its type in the region

Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center are now using one of the nation's most advanced combination PET/CT scanners, a state-of-the-art imaging system that will give doctors highly defined, 3-D pictures of both form and function inside a patient's body. With these detailed images, doctors can get more information about a patient's condition, enabling them to make the best choices about treatment.

For More Information

Go to our PET/CT Web site.

"This cutting-edge device will make a substantial impact on patient care," says Bruce Line, M.D., director of nuclear medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center and professor of diagnostic radiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The PET (positron emission tomography) scanner shows metabolism a

nd the function of cells, while the CT (computed tomography) shows detailed anatomy. "The combination PET/CT gives us the best of both worlds. The ability to fuse these images in one system gives us unparalleled views inside the human body, including detailed images of cardiac vessels and cancerous tumors," says Dr. Line.

The scanner, a GEMINI™ system from Philips, the only scanner of its kind with an open layout, will be used for diagnosing a variety of conditions. For example, the images will play a significant role as doctors plan precise radiation therapies that target cancer cells but avoid healthy cells. The PET/CT scanner is also useful in detecting the recurrence of cancer, even with tiny tumors that cannot be seen on other imaging devices, such as those tumors obscured by scarring from previously destroyed cancer cells.

For the PET scan, patients are injected with glucose that has been modified to include some low-level, radioactive fluorine. Cancer cells metabolize glucose differently than normal cells, so when the cancer comes in contact with this modified glucose, the cancer cells appear to glow on the PET scanner. This metabolic evaluation can catch very small cancers, and it can help doctors to see if the cancer has spread.

The PET/CT scanner enables physicians to diagnose cancer early, treat it with extraordinary precision and monitor the results quickly and accurately.

While the PET scanner provides important information about the metabolic function of cancerous cells, the images do not give precise locations for those cells. However, the CT scanner shows detailed anatomy. Combining PET and CT technology creates a powerful system for detecting and treating cancer.

The advanced scanner will soon become even more powerful with the addition of 16-slice CT capabilities. The advancement of the 16-slice CT improves the detail of the image, much like increasing the number of frames greatly improves motion picture quality.

"The power of a 16-slice CT will make a significant difference, particularly when applied to cardiac cases," explains Reuben Mezrich, M.D., chief of diagnostic radiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and professor and chairman of diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "Because the heart is constantly moving, it's difficult to see the anatomy unless you get multiple pictures at the same time. The high resolution of a 16-slice CT allows you to see detailed images of the coronary arteries, which you just can't get with CT scanners that only take a few slices."

The new PET/CT will allow doctors to examine the strength of the contraction in various parts of the heart or to see calcium build-up in blood vessels. The PET scanner also helps doctors determine if heart cells are still alive and metabolizing, even if it appears the heart muscle is not moving. "The PET/CT gives us a complete analysis of the function and anatomy of the heart in one imaging tool," says Dr. Line.

Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center will be investigating other ways in which this advanced PET/CT can be applied to cardiac care. They plan to test different radioactive isotopes to see if they can improve the images of the heart, leading to better diagnosis and care. This research will be performed in collaboration with Philips Medical Systems.

The medical center's PET/CT provides an additional benefit for patients: its open design reduces the chances that the patient will feel claustrophobic. Many patients do not like scanners because the machines have long tunnels that make some people feel anxious. The new scanner features two large rings with an open area in between, giving patients the ability to see the area around them and allowing technicians better access to the patient during the exam. The CT scan takes just a few seconds, but the PET scan takes about a half hour, so patient comfort during the procedure is very important.

But the ultimate benefit of the new PET/CT will be improved patient care. According to Stephen C. Schimpff, M.D., director of the Greenebaum Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, "The benefits of the new PET/CT are tremendous. It can provide patients with an earlier, more accurate diagnosis so that ultimately patients will get a better chance at a good outcome."

A generous gift from John and Helen Kovach provided the initial funding for the purchase of the new PET/CT.

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This page was last updated on: March 9, 2009.