**Disclaimer**

**Figure 18.** During radiotherapy planning FDG-PET-CT has been shown to be useful to better delineate the biologically active tumor volume and to distinguish between viable tumor tissue and non-specific changes due to previous surgi‐ cal and/or radio therapeutic treatments. The figure present a planning for radiotherapy fields based on images from

26 Imaging and Radioanalytical Techniques in Interdisciplinary Research - Fundamentals and Cutting Edge Applications

In conclusion, PET and SPECT nuclear medical imaging have a clinical role in the evaluation of the postoperative oncologic patient, provided that the modalities are protocoled for the anticipated clinical concern and prescribed by the musculoskeletal physicians. Parameters and protocols include appropriate scintigraphic agent selection. These imaging techniques are also required to optimally visualize as much of the wide diversity of anatomical structures, and physiological and pathological processes, as possible. The success of nuclear imaging is due to the modality's ability to supply new clinical information which is useful for the routine care of large numbers of patients. The demand for more effective and less invasive therapy increases the need for real-time nuclear imaging. The choice of an imaging modality for a given procedure is determined by its ability to display both the patient's anatomy and the operator's instruments. Patient access and the safety of both patient and operator are also of major concern. Multi-modality (SPECT-CT, PET-CT and PET-MRI) imaging can often enhance medical decisions. Indeed, combining images from different origins in a workstation can facilitate this process to the benefit of the radiologist, referring physician and, ultimately, the

The development of new technology platforms can contribute to accelerate, diversify, and lower the cost of discovering and validating new nuclear imaging probes, biomarkers, radiotracers, and labeled drugs, as well as new radiotherapeutic agents. The wide implemen‐ tation of nuclear imaging techniques for local use in research and clinical programs requires the invention of new, small and low-cost miniaturized particle-accelerators and generators for producing short-lived radioisotopes. The invention of new detector technologies for PET and SPECT would contribute to enhance sensitivity as well as spatial and temporal resolution.

PET-CT in a patient with advanced stage lung carcinoma. Source: www.IAEA.org/.../gc54inf-3-att1\_en.pdf.

**5. Conclusions**

patient.

Data and statements expressed in this paper are those from the author and published bibliog‐ raphy cited in this work, and do not necessarily reflect organizations, laboratories and the firms which the author has mentioned as examples. The author does not endorse any equipment or material cited herein.
