Imaging modality

Most disease-specific molecular and cellular processes involve low concentrations and have low capacities. Therefore, molecular imaging requires highly sensitive imaging modalities to detect and quantify the imaging probes as it is done with short-lived radioisotopes. Optical imaging and ultrasound are next in sensitivity. MRI would require too high contrast agent concentrations... 

The primary focus of this chapter is to provide an introduction to the main imaging modalities and the current biomedical research that is currently underway in the field of modern neuroimaging. Since the focus of this chapter is on neurobiology and neurochemistry, only MRI/MRS... 

Gd(III) chelates have played an important role in the development of clinical applications of MRI technique by adding relevant physiological information to the superb anatomical resolution attainable with this imaging modality. 

As in the established imaging modalities, such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonic imaging (US), the... 

Why Use Ultrasound Imaging Modality and Ultrasound Contrast Agents ... 

Ultrasound equipment is the most portable of all the imaging modalities. It can be brought to the patient bedside and emergency room. Recently, ultrasound laptop/handheld portable imaging systems have become available and these can facilitate use in ambulances and field hospitals). 

The ultrasound equipment is also readily available in private medical practice offices. It is certainly the imaging modality of choice for remote places and/or economically disadvantaged areas. 

Bonow RO. Functional evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease selection of appropriate pharmacologic agents and imaging modalities. Eur Heart J 1995 16 SupplM ll-16... 

Atherosclerosis The imaging of atherosclerosis with [ F]FDG PET was advanced and recent studies in rabbits showed that the tracer accumulated in macrophage-rich atherosclerotic plaques. It was assumed that the vascular macrophage activity can be quantified by p FlFDO PET [189]. Further studies in rabbits demonstrated that this imaging modality is useful for the clinical evaluation of therapeutic effects of drugs as well as for the development of new drugs that can reduce and inhibit inflammation of vulnerable plaques [190]. 

In 1998, the first PET/CT scanner, combining functional information with morphological information, was introduced by Townsend and co-workers [3], Combined PET/CT devices offer an efficient tool for whole-body staging and restaging functional assessment within one imaging modality. PET/CT scanners allow a merging of complementary information from CT and PET, leading to a more accurate anatomic localization. Furthermore, a more precise assessment of tumor volume is possible in comparison to PET. 

Initial detection of primary colorectal cancer is a domain of endoscopy. Additional imaging for therapy planning is discussed controversially, especially due to the lack of a single comprehensive imaging method [8]. Conventional imaging modalities, comprising endoluminal ultrasound, CT and MRI are limited to give... 

Imaging modalities play an even more important role in the setting of suspected recurrence of colorectal cancer. Around 30% of the patients with recurrence within 2 years of initial diagnosis appear to have limited recurrent disease, but only 25% of them are actually curable by surgery [9]. At surgery, up to 75% of the patients reveal to have non-resectable disease due to distant metastases or widespread disease [10,11]. In order to decrease the number of futile surgeries, it is essential to improve the accuracy of preoperative detection of recurrent disease. 

Therefore, anatomical imaging modalities usually do not allow to distinguish residual tumor from therapy-related changes like inflammatory reaction, edema, and scar tissue. 

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