Is imaging the extremities with PEM feasible? A novel application for a high-resolution positron emission scanner.

Introduction: Positron emission mammography (PEM) has better spatial resolution than positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), or PET/CT. We evaluated the feasibility of extremity imaging with PEM using PET as a standard.

Methods/materials: Fourteen patients underwent sequential PET/CT and PEM.

Results/discussion: PEM visualized with equal or improved resolution all of the lesions identified on PET/CT. It often provided additional information such improved uptake localization and also visualized activity in an adjacent structures that was not seen on PET/CT or magnetic resonance imaging. We believe PEM can image the extremities in diseases like melanoma, arthritis and osteomyelitis and patients with metallic hardware.