PETSPECT

PETSPECT is a term used in medical imaging to describe an approach that integrates positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) into a single workflow. The aim is to combine PET's high sensitivity and quantitative capabilities with SPECT's diverse radiotracers to enrich molecular imaging.

Technologies under PETSPECT include hybrid instruments capable of concurrent or sequential PET and SPECT acquisitions, alongside software for precise image fusion and co-registration. By aligning datasets in time and space, PETSPECT improves cross-modal interpretation and supports joint kinetic analysis.

Radiopharmaceuticals used span PET tracers such as FDG and receptor-targeted compounds, and SPECT tracers labeled with gamma emitters like Technetium-99m. The approach leverages both tracer types, enabling complementary views of metabolism, perfusion, and receptor binding.

Applications cover neurology, oncology, and cardiology, including tumor characterization, neurodegenerative disease assessment, and evaluation of myocardial perfusion and innervation. Benefits include greater diagnostic information and cross-validation; limitations involve higher cost, added complexity, and the need for standardized quantitative protocols.

Current research focuses on acquisition optimization, cross-calibration, and reconstruction methods to harmonize PET and SPECT data, with attention to dose efficiency and clinical workflow. As methods mature, PETSPECT may support multi-tracer studies and broader access to advanced molecular imaging.