THE ROLE OF PET/CT WITH 11C-METHIONINE IN CONTEMPORARY NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) is a non-invasive molecular imaging technique using isotopes with a short half-life usually in combination with chemical compounds. The most commonly used PET/CT tracer is 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose labeled with fluorine (18-FDG). It is used mainly in oncological diagnostics as well as myocardial viability, epilepsy and inflammatory diagnostics. The tracer less commonly used in PET/CT could be carbon-labeled methionine (11C-MET). It is mainly used in the diagnosis of focal lesions in the central nervous system. There are also reports of the use of this tracer in diagnostics of the primary, secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism as well as multiple myeloma. This tracer may also be used in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases and solid tumors, although there is no clear evidence of its advantage over 18-FDG. Conclusion: Significant difficulties in the production and transport of this tracer and lack of reimbursement of this type of procedure in Poland limits the use of this tracer for scientific research.