This issue reviews the uses of positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging the musculoskeletal system.? Because PET imaging has been particularly effective with regard to imaging of tumors, this issue includes several issues on detecting primary as well as metastatic bone tumors.? PET's use in imaging soft tissue malignancies and musculoskeletal malignancies are also reviewed.? This issue also explores the uses of PET for osteoporosis and inflammatory and infectious diseases.? The development and applications for alternative radionuclide tracers is also included.

This book reports the majority of lectures given during the NATO Advanced Study Institute ASI-982996, which was held at the European Scientific Institute of Archamps (ESI, Archamps - France) from November 15 to November 27, 2007. The ASI course was structured in two parts: the first was dedicated to what is often called "teletherapy", i. e. radiotherapy with external beams, while the second focused on internal radiotherapy, also called "brachytherapy" or "curietherapy" in honour of Madame Curie who initiated the technique about a century ago. This ASI took place after the European School of Medical Physics, which devoted a 3 week period to medical imaging, a subject complementary to the topics of this book. Courses devoted to nuclear medicine and digital imaging techniques are collected in two volumes of the NATO Science Series entitled "Physics for Medical Imaging Applications" (ISBN 978-1-4020-5650-5) and "Molecular imaging: computer reconstruction and practice" (ISBN 978-1-4020- 8751-6). Every year in autumn ESI organises the European School of Medical Physics, which covers a large spectrum of topics ranging from Medical Imaging to Radiotherapy, over a period of 5 weeks. Thanks to the Cooperative Science and Technology sub-programme of the NATO Science Division, weeks four and five were replaced this year by the ASI course dedicated to "Physics of Modern Radiotherapy & Brachytherapy". This allowed the participation of experts and students from 20 different countries, with diverse cultural background and p- fessional experience.

This book provides comprehensive reviews on our most recent understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) as visualized in animal models and patients using optical molecular imaging, PET-CT, ultrasound and MRI. In addition to presenting up-to-date information on the multimodality imaging of specific pro-inflammatory or pro-calcification pathways in atherosclerosis and CAVD, the book addresses the intriguing issue of whether cardiovascular calcification is an inflammatory disease, as has been recently supported by several preclinical and clinical imaging studies. In order to familiarize researchers and clinicians from other specialties with the basic mechanisms involved, chapters on the fundamental pathobiology of atherosclerosis and CAVD are also included. The imaging chapters, written by some of the foremost investigators in the field, are so organized as to reveal the nature of the involved mechanisms as disease progresses.

Essential for students, science and medical graduates who want to understand the basic science of Positron Emission Tomography (PET), this book describes the physics, chemistry, technology and overview of the clinical uses behind the science of PET and the imaging techniques it uses. In recent years, PET has moved from high-end research imaging tool used by the highly specialized to an essential component of clinical evaluation in the clinic, especially in cancer management. Previously being the realm of scientists, this book explains PET instrumentation, radiochemistry, PET data acquisition and image formation, integration of structural and functional images, radiation dosimetry and protection, and applications in dedicated areas such as drug development, oncology, and gene expression imaging. The technologist, the science, engineering or chemistry graduate seeking further detailed information about PET, or the medical advanced trainee wishing to gain insight into the basic science of PET will find this book invaluable.

This book is primarily repackaged content from the Basic Science section of the 'big' Valk book on PET. It contains new, completely revised and unchanged chapters covering the "basic sciences" section of the main book - total 18 chapters:

• 2 new (chapters 1, 16)
• 8 completely revised (chapters 4, 5, 8, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
• 3 minor corrections (chapters 2, 6, 11)
• 5 unchanged (chapters 3, 7, 9, 10, 12)

Proceedings of the 3rd Joint International Conference on Hyperfine Interactions and International Symposium on Nuclear Quadrupole Interactions, HFI/NQI 2010 held at CERN, Switzerland, September 13-17, 2010 Reprinted from Hyperfine Interactions Volume. This volume focuses on the most recent studies on all aspects of hyperfine interaction detected by nuclear radiation and nuclear quadrupole interactions detected by resonance methods in the areas of materials, biological and medical science, as well as on contributions on new developments in instrumentation and methods, ab initio calculations and simulations. This volume comprises research papers, reviews, and short communications recording original investigations related to: Theory on Hyperfine Interactions (HFI) and Nuclear Moments; Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (Bulk and Thin Layers); HFI probes in Semiconductors, Metals and Insulators; Lattice Dynamics and Ion-Solid Interactions; Surfaces, Interfaces, Thin Films, and Nano-structures; Resonance Methods; Nuclear Moments, Nuclear Polarization and Spin Dynamics; Investigations in Biology, Chemistry, and Medicine; New Directions and Developments in Methodology. The papers present the latest scientific work of various invited speakers and contributor researchers from the five continents that have brought their perspectives to the meeting.

This volume focuses on cytological, biochemical, and molecular biological methods to identify and examine the function of each nuclear body, with an emphasis on the analysis of long non-coding RNAs. Chapters focus on exploring recent studies that reveal how certain long non protein-coding RNAs accumulate in specific nuclear bodies and regulate the function of the bodies by serving as architectural components or controlling the dynamics of associating protein components. Written in the highly successful Methods of Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Nuclear Bodies and Noncoding RNAs: Methods and Protocols serves as a guideline for further study into the sophisticated regulation of gene expression.

In the development of many medical technologies the beginning is characterised by an emphasis on the basic scientific principles of the technology and the optimisa tion of the functional aspects of the technology. As a technology matures there is a tendency for the underlying principles to be forgotten as the dinical applications begin to develop and the focus moves to an understanding of the dinical applica tion. This maturity brings with it new challenges for those involved in the use of the technology. An acceptance of the methodology may lead to a scaling back of the ba sic training of staff into the fundamentals of the techniques and lead to a lack of questioning as to those issues which lead to the optimisation in dinical applications. This lack of basic training may ultimately lead to a stifling of research and develop ment of the technology as a whole as trained staff becomes a scarce commodity. Nudear medicine is no exception to this development cyde. As a medical special ty the discipline has matured. The basic imaging technology has become more reli able in everyday use requiring less input from scientific staff. Clinical procedures have become protocols which are often followed without due understanding of the basic principles underlying the imaging procedure. This is clearly demonstrated when new radiopharmaceuticals are introduced into the market place.

A comprehensive and contemporary reference work covering the basic science and clinical applications of positron emission tomography. This book reflects the tremendous increase in interest in PET as both a clinical and research imaging modality in the past 10 years. Written by experts in the field and edited by those involved in PET development, and training of scientists and medical specialists. Positron Emission Tomography - basic science and clinical practice thoroughly explains the principles, clinical applications and economic aspects of PET today. Chapters go into detail on PET applications in oncology, the central nervous system, cardio-respiratory systems, infectious diseases and pediatrics. Discussions are also found on technology design and evaluation, PET in drug discovery and development in imaging gene expression and therapy. Peter E. Valk MB BS FRACP is based in the Northern California PET Imaging Center, Sacramento, CA USA, Dale L. Bailey PhD FIPEM ARCP is based in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London UK, David W. Townsend PhD is based in the Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA, Michael N. Maisey MD FRCP FRCR is Professor at the Department of Radiological Sciences, Guy's Hospital, London UK.

"More than half of the world's population is at risk of the tropical diseases malaria, leprosy, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, Chagas' disease, African trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis and half a billion are infected with at least one of these diseases." J. H. F. Remme, World Health Organisation, 1993. "If it is true that science is not limited by frontiers and all research Institutions then belong to mankind, so it is natural for each Institution to be responsible for the problems of those who live in the geographic area under its influence. There are no specific aspects concerning physical, chemical or philosophical concepts and facts, but specificity does exist concerning geology, sociology and pathology. It is the duty of each Institution to study the particular aspects concerning its geographic region, as missing links of the chain of universal knowledge may be found there." H. L. de Oliveira, fonner Rector of the University ofSiio Paulo, 1967. "Nuclear Medicine is cost effective, especially in the developing countries. ( ... ).

Nuclear Medicine in Psychiatry showcases the combined expertise of renowned authors whose dedication to the investigation of psychiatric disease through nuclear medicine technology has achieved international recognition. Psychiatric disorders are discussed both from categorical and functional psychopathological viewpoint and the latest results in functional neuroimaging are detailed. Most chapters are written jointly by a psychiatrist and a nuclear medicine expert, and each contains a section "Clinical Aspects," to link research data with clinical routine. This state-of-the-art compendium will be valuable to anybody in the field of neuroscience, from the psychiatrist and the radiologist/nuclear medicine specialist to the interested general practitioner and cognitive psychologist.

Based on the most novel approaches and cutting-edge clinical and scientific information regarding radionuclide imaging and therapies for neuroendocrine tumors, this clinical guidebook represents a unique collaborative effort between endocrinologists, nuclear physicians, oncologists, surgeons, physicists, radio-pharmacists and geneticists. It begins with the embryology, classification and molecular genetics of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoids, chromaffin cell tumors, and MEN1- and MEN2-related tumors. Following a chapter on radiopharmaceuticals in neuroendocrine imaging, it turns to the physics and technology of current and cutting-edge radiology, including SPECT/CT and PET/CT and PET/MR. Discussing of radionuclide imaging covers the tumors mentioned above, as well as pulmonary and thymic neuroendocrine tumors and medullary thyroid carcinoma. A presentation of radionuclide therapies follows, including 131I-MIBG therapy, somatostatin receptor-based therapy, and alpha radionuclide therapy, as well as the role of nanoparticles. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine for Neuroendocrine Tumors will assist and guide physicians who encounter patients with these conditions, either from a diagnostic or therapeutic standpoint, and particularly emphasizes the current and emerging medical devices and imaging and therapeutic options.

This book provides a review of imaging techniques and applications in stem cell transplantation and other cell-based therapies. The basis of different molecular imaging techniques is explained in detail, as is the current state of interventional radiology techniques. While the whole is a comprehensive discussion, each chapter is self-sufficient enough so that each can be reviewed independently. The contributors represent years of international and cross-disciplinary expertise and perspective and are all well known in their fields. comprehensive information on the role of clinical and molecular imaging in stem cell therapy from this book reviewed in detail. Essential reading for radiologists and physicians who are interested in developing a basic understanding of stem cell imaging and applications of stem cells and cell based therapies. However, it will also be of interest to clinical scientists and researchers alike, including those involved in stem cell labeling, tracking & imaging, cancer therapy, angiogenesis and cardiac regeneration.

In the developed world, images of brain structure are available as an everyday diagnostic aid, and the characteristic appearances of most pathological conditions can be looked up in a textbook. Functional brain imaging is to this day less widely used, partly because most pressing diagnostic questions can be answered by refer ence to the patient's cerebral anatomy, partly for reasons of technical limitations of functional techniques. PET as a technique is sufficiently resource-demanding and complex to inhibit its use as an everyday diagnostic technique. SPECT lacked suitable tracers for many years, and early systems had poor spatial resolution. However, rotating gamma camera technology has advanced to the point where images of the brain of reasonable quality can be obtained at most large hospitals, and practical tracers, particularly of regional cerebral blood flow, are easily avail able. As research advances, clinical applications are emerging. A recent report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology! details a number of currently recognised clinical appli cations, some of which are dealt with in this book. Given this recognition, it is increasingly important that clinicians (particularly neuroclinicians, psychiatrists and specialists in cerebrovascular disease), nuclear medicine specialists and physicists acquire an idea of the major applications of the technique, and the research background on which these applications are based.

This compendium describes the major production routes of the six most relevant iodine radio isotopes and the various methods of labeling molecules of biological, diagnostic or pharmaceutical interest with them. The chapters describe the basic reaction mechanisms, and the influence of iodine introduction on physical/chemical and pharmacological properties. They include examples of important reaction pathways for the preparation of radio-iodine compounds.

Among the readily available -emitting radionuclides, the nuclides of iodine have the greatest versatility in labeling both the hydrophilic and the lipophilic compounds that are used in biology and medicine. Biologically important micrmolecules, semimacromolecules, and macromolecules have been identified which, after iodination, almost maintain the same molecular configuration and similar biologic specificity as those of the parent molecules. The multiple techniques for iodination and the clinical use of iodinated products have made possible the present status of the development of diagnostic nuclear medicine. 125r, with a half-life of 60 days, has a crucial role in competitive protein-binding studies. 131r is useful for measuring thyroid uptake, for the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma and metastasis, and for therapy. 1nr , with a reasonably shorter half-life, is almost ideal for thyroid workup and for a few useful labeled radiopharmaceutical. Although ~c is used more widely in diagnostic procedures, the radionuclides of iodine will always have a major role in biology and medicine. A considerable amount of information is scattered in the literature regarding the chemistry of radioiodination and the mechanism of tracer localization in cells and tissues. Labeled peptides, proteins, and antibodies are extensively used for protein turnover studies, receptor binding and tumor imaging studies, and radioimmunoassay. The general trend in the use of tracers in clinical nuclear medicine has been an evolution from 3H, 14C, 11C, and 13 to 125 , 131 and 123r to ~c and 111rn.

Respiratory motion causes an important uncertainty in radiotherapy planning of the thorax and upper abdomen. The main objective of radiation therapy is to eradicate or shrink tumor cells without damaging the surrounding tissue by delivering a high radiation dose to the tumor region and a dose as low as possible to healthy organ tissues. Meeting this demand remains a challenge especially in case of lung tumors due to breathing-induced tumor and organ motion where motion amplitudes can measure up to several centimeters. Therefore, modeling of respiratory motion has become increasingly important in radiation therapy. With 4D imaging techniques spatiotemporal image sequences can be acquired to investigate dynamic processes in the patient's body. Furthermore, image registration enables the estimation of the breathing-induced motion and the description of the temporal change in position and shape of the structures of interest by establishing the correspondence between images acquired at different phases of the breathing cycle. In radiation therapy these motion estimations are used to define accurate treatment margins, e.g. to calculate dose distributions and to develop prediction models for gated or robotic radiotherapy. In this book, the increasing role of image registration and motion estimation algorithms for the interpretation of complex 4D medical image sequences is illustrated. Different 4D CT image acquisition techniques and conceptually different motion estimation algorithms are presented. The clinical relevance is demonstrated by means of example applications which are related to the radiation therapy of thoracic and abdominal tumors. The state of the art and perspectives are shown by an insight into the current field of research. The book is addressed to biomedical engineers, medical physicists, researchers and physicians working in the fields of medical image analysis, radiology and radiation therapy.

The application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to the cardiovascular system is a relatively new phenomenon. Its ability to noninvasively examine myocardial metabolism has led to its use to answer basic questions in animal models of normal and diseased myocardium. Extension of these investigations into the realm of human myocardial metabolism has been made possible by the advent of relatively high-field magnets with spectroscopy capabilities and sufficient bore dimensions to allow human studies. While ongoing and future studies promise to enhance our understanding of myocardial metabolism, their success will, in part, depend on a thorough understanding of the technical and biologic aspects of cardiovascular MRS, as well as the current state of research in the many areas encompassed by this discipline. It is with concept that the present monograph has been written. The organization and content should lend this book to both the beginning reader who is interested but not conversant in cardiovascular MRS, as well as to the active investigator who wishes to refer to a volume that deals with the many issues of this field in a concise but complete manner. The monograph is structured with a general overview of the field, followed by a section addressing the technical issues of cardiovascular MRS. The next section is devoted to biologic issues of both normal and abnormal myocardial metabolism, primarily devoted to investigations employing phosphorus-31. This is followed by a section dealing with more specialized issues, generally involving other nuclei such as protons, carbon, and sodium. Finally, the clinical applications of cardiovascular MRS are addressed.

This book is a comprehensive guide to PET and PET CT and serves as a valuable resource for practicing physicians and residents. The text covers topics ranging from the basic principles of physics, molecular assays, preparation of molecular imaging probes, and biochemistry relevant for PET. Additionally, clinical applications in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders are thoroughly discussed. U.C.L.A. School of Medicine is recognized as one of the leading PET centers in the world. All of the contributors are U.C.L.A. School of Medicine faculty members and they combined their areas of expertise in order to create the premier reference book on PET. Each chapter provides a complete overview of the topic material and guides the reader through the subject matter. Figures, tables, and solved example problems are integrated into the text. Readers also benefit from the extensive references and suggested reading material.

This book provides a review of image analysis techniques as they are applied in the field of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine. Driven in part by the remarkable increase in computing power and its ready and inexpensive availability, this is a relatively new yet rapidly expanding field. Likewise, although the use of radionuclides for diagnosis and therapy has origins dating back almost to the discovery of natural radioactivity itself, radionuclide therapy and, in particular, targeted radionuclide therapy has only recently emerged as a promising approach for therapy of cancer and, to a lesser extent, other diseases. As effort has, therefore, been made to place the reviews provided in this book in a broader context. The effort to do this is reflected by the inclusion of introductory chapters that address basic principles of nuclear medicine imaging, followed by overview of issues that are closely related to quantitative nuclear imaging and its potential role in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

The different chapters discuss the basic principles and various steps required for obtaining quantitatively accurate data from nuclear medicine images including data collection methods and algorithms used to correct them for physical degrading factors (e.g. collimator response, attenuation, scatter, partial volume effect), and image reconstruction algorithms (analytic, iterative) as well as image processing and analysis techniques as their clinical and research applications in neurology, cardiology and oncology. Some algorithms are described and illustrated with some useful features and clinical applications. Other potential applications of quantitative image analysis such asimage-guided radiation therapy are also discussed.

The work presented here is based upon contact with excellent scientists who did not measure their time sparingly to be of assistance. It has also benefited from the infrastructure some col- leagues made available to me, and without which considerable delays and expenditure would have been unavoidable. In this respect, I am particularly indebted to a number of people. Dr. J. Abramovici, Professor S. Orloff and Professor R. Fridrich reviewed my data critically and gave me access to their Insti- tutes, enabling me to collect the clinical evi- dence required to complete this work. The latter benefited also from the efforts of Dr. K. Streule who supervised the cross-over study upon which the final conclusions have been based. Dr. R. Senekowitsch and her staff were of inva- luable help with the animal experimental data and was, together with Professor H. Kriegel, kind enough to enable me to complete this particular part. Dr. H.L. Chia's laboratory data provided me with the possibility to widen the radiopharmaceu- tical aspects of the theme under discussion. I am also indebted to Dr. K.J. Panek for personal com- ments regarding the radiation dosimetry of lll- v vi SCINTIGRAPHY OF INFLAMMATION labelled leukocytes.

This publication contains a collection of 22 manuscripts by authors invited to write review articles. They are based on lectures presented on the First and Second Training Course in Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmacology. These courses were organized under the auspices of the "Joint Committee on Radiopharmaceuticals" of both European Societies of Nuclear Medicine (ENMS and SNME) and were sponsored by the European Society of Nuclear Medicine (ENMS). Recent developments in radiopharmacy and radiopharmacology have been very complex; they cannot be overlooked by the medical staff in nuclear medical departments. This book has been written to provide access to recent research and to practical daily routine in patients' investigations. It provides a wide-ranging and topical overview of radiopharmacology in- cluding chapters on basic chemistry and physics, incorporation dosimetry, interference of drugs in radiopharmacokinetics, legal aspects and stable isotope-labelled pharmaceuticals. Style of presentation is not uniform. Par- tial overlapping concerning the content of papers has not been avoided in order to ensure different views and aspects of the same subject. We hope that the interdisciplinary approach will be stimulating and thought-provok- ing for the reader. Consequently, this book is designed for specialists work- ing in nuclear medical centres which involve different disciplines such as pharmacists, radiochemists, physicists, biochemists, biologists, mathemati- cians, electronic engineers, physicians with different specialities, and tech- nicians.

The Sentinel Lymph Node Concept is evaluated from the points of view of pathology, radiodiagnosis and nuclear medicine diagnostics, surgical treatment and clinical oncology. The concept and its practical applications are analyzed for breast cancer, malignant melanoma, tumors of the face, oropharynx, lung, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. The first part of the book describes the function and use of the nuclear medicine equipment, the tracers used, colloid solutions and modern developments in histological and immunohistochemical lymph node investigations, as well as possible pitfalls. The consequences of false-negative results are clearly delineated. In the second part, specific tumor-related problems are described.

Mankind has evolved in a sea of radiation. We have been bombarded constantly by X rays, y rays, UV rays, and particulate radiations from outer space, and by terrestrial radiations from the ground we walk on, from our building materials, and from our own bodies. Recently, we have become increasingly subjected to man-made radiations, especially from the medical and defense industries. All of these radiations are capable of affecting us biologically, both to our benefit and to our detriment. This book provides a thorough review of the physical and biological dosimetry of these radiations. It is targeted to those health professionals who are concerned with understanding the mechanisms fundamental to the biological action of ionizing radiation or who are involved in the application, measurement, or treatment of the effects of such radiations. The first chapter, on "Bioeffect Dosimetry in Radiation Therapy," should be of special interest to anyone involved in the treatment of cancer by radiation. It includes a brief review of the history of the manipulation of time-dose parameters in order to improve therapeutic benefit, and an up-to-date analysis of time-dose relationships designed for use in fractionated radiotherapy and brachytherapy. This is followed by two chapters reviewing and comparing national and international protocols for the precise measurement of photon and electron radiations in therapy. These chapters should be invaluable to radiation physicists responsible for treatment machine calibrations.

Proceedings of a Workshop Held in Angers, France, November 26-28, 1986, Sponsored by the Commission of the European Communities Directorate General for Science, Research and Development

Radiochemical methodology constitutes the most important base for the successful functioning of a PET group in the routine production and development of radiopharmaceuticals. Of the several hundred products which have been labelled with positron emitters during the past two decades about 35 are presently considered to be of major interest. The time for a state-of-the-art review is right, since this field has advanced over the past fifteen years to reach a level where guidelines can now be suggested. Chapters of this book deal with each of the main methodological aspects of the chemistry needed to develop an effective radiopharmaceutical, namely radionuclide production, automation and metabolite analysis. A further chapter on QA/QC is written by a broadly-based expert group and is meant to provide a guideline and a base for future monographs and regulations on major PET radiopharmaceuticals of today. This book will help the increasing numbers of scientists who are now entering the field of PET to appreciate the methodological aspects that are normally addressed by chemists in relation to PET radiopharmaceuticals; it provides many useful practical guidelines and will promote early success in their own endeavours, since these will often necessarily begin by establishing chemical methodology of the kind discussed here.