PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - W. De Wever
AU  - S. Stroobants
AU  - J. Coolen
AU  - J. A. Verschakelen
TI  - Integrated PET/CT in the staging of nonsmall cell lung cancer: technical aspects and clinical integration
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00035108
DP  - 2009 Jan 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 201--212
VI  - 33
IP  - 1
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/33/1/201.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/33/1/201.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2009 Jan 01; 33
AB  - Lung cancer is a common disease and is a leading cause of death in many countries. The management of lung cancer is directed by an optimal staging of the tumour. Integrated positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is an anatomo-metabolic imaging modality that has recently been introduced to clinical practice and combines two different techniques: CT, which provides very detailed anatomic information; and PET, which provides metabolic information. One of the advantages of PET/CT is the improved image interpretation. This improvement can result in the detection of lesions initially not seen on CT or PET, a more precise location of lesions, a better characterisation of the lesion as benign or malignant and a better differentiation between tumour and surrounding structures. Initial studies demonstrate better results for PET/CT in the staging of lung cancer in comparison with PET alone, CT alone or visual correlation of PET and CT. The purpose of the present article is to discuss technical aspects of integrated PET/CT and to attempt to outline how to introduce integrated PET/CT in clinical and daily practice. SERIES “LUNG CANCER” Edited by C. Brambilla Number 1 in this Series