Combined nuclear medicine and X-ray system

A diagnostic imaging system ( 20 ) comprising a computer workstation ( 26 ) for controlling the imaging system, interfacing with an operator and generating images. A coordinate system ( 100 ) is in data communication with the computer workstation. The coordinate system ( 100 ) is adapted to describe relative position of components in the diagnostic imaging system ( 20 ). A subject support ( 30 ) is describable within the coordinate system and an X-ray sub-system ( 22 ) is positionable around the subject support ( 30 ). Position sensors ( 44 a) are operatively connected to the x-ray sub-system ( 22 ) and they provide signals to the workstation ( 26 ) indicative of the position of components of the x-ray sub-system ( 22 ) within the space represented by the coordinate system. A nuclear camera sub-system ( 24 ) is positionable around the subject support ( 30 ). Position sensors ( 44 b) are operatively connected to the nuclear camera sub-system ( 24 ) and provide signals to the workstation ( 26 ) indicative of position of components of the nuclear camera sub-system within the coordinate system. The workstation ( 100 ) includes a region of interest position determination function ( 108 ) for determining the position within the imaging system of a region of interest ( 40 ) in an image generated by the x-ray sub-system ( 22 ). The region of interest ( 40 ) is precisely targeted using the control console ( 26 ) for imaging by the nuclear camera ( 50 ).