**5. Conclusions**

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 patient.

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. Finally, the development of new iterative algorithms and high-speed/high-capacity compu‐ tational systems for rapid image reconstruction; would allow image data to be converted to quantitative parametric images pertaining to biological and pharmacological processes in disease.
