Neurológia pre prax 1/2014

Use of positron emission tomography in neurology

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technique providing information on the function of a certain tissue or organ. It is primarily used in oncology, neurology, and cardiology. The present review briefly explains the principle of PET examination and subsequently deals with its use in neurology. The main focus is on the fields of neuro-oncology and epileptology, i.e. on indications in which PET is commonly utilized clinically. Also mentioned are the options of its application in diagnosing extrapyramidal diseases, dementias, and cerebral infarctions; in these indications, PET is largely limited to the field of research.

Keywords: positron emission tomography (PET), neurology, neuro-oncology, dementia, extrapyramidal diseases, cerebral infarction.