Positron emission tomography in neuroendocrine tumours

Ital J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1999 Oct:31 Suppl 2:S167-71.

Abstract

Positron emission tomography is an in vivo tracer and imaging technique that utilizes short-lived positron emitting radionuclides (11C, 15O, 13N, 18F) with half-lives ranging between 2 min and 2 hours. These radionuclides are interesting from the labelling viewpoint since they are natural constituents of most biologically active compounds. The short half-life is an advantage with regard to the irradiation dose to the patient but it is also a limitation since it requires the production of these radionuclides in close vicinity to the positron emission tomography camera.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods*