After reviewing this tutorial, participants should be able to define the term PET and explain the basic imaging principle of coincidence detection; should be able to explain how PET is different than other modalities; should be able to explain how PET radiopharmaceuticals display organ function rather than anatomy; should be able to state the risks, benefits and clinical value of PET; should be able to name the PET
pharmaceuticals available and their physical characteristics; should be able to relate the safety of these drugs; should be able to compare the radiation dose of F-18 FDG to that of other commonly used radiopharmaceuticals; should be able to recognize the chemical structures of FDG and glucose; should be able to discuss reimbursement issues and approved indications for F-18 FDG; and should be able to discuss use of this drug in oncology, neurology, and cardiology.

● What is PET?

● What is the Value of PET
● What are PET Radiopharmaceuticals
● Underlying Principle of Utilizing PET Radiopharmaceuticals

● Importance of 18F-FDG

Preparation of 18F-FDG
Comparison: Structures of FDG and Glucose

● PET Radiopharmaceuticals: Other Compounds

● PET Radiopharmaceuticals: 11C Compounds
● PET Radiopharmaceuticals: 13N, 15O Compounds
● PET Radiopharmaceuticals: 18F Compounds

● PET Pharmaceuticals:Clinical Utility

● PET Reimbursement Issues
●General Tumor Imaging with FDG
●PET in Cardiology
●PET in Neurology

Conclusions:

PET has proven to be very useful in Oncology, Cardiology, and Neurology
PET has significantly impacted patient care and has proven to be a very costeffective way to diagnose and stage diseases, especially in oncology
Medicare and other insurers are approving an increasing number of indications every year.
F-18 FDG will probably replace most other tumor imaging agents within 5 years.