PET
Positron Emission Tomography — detects coincident 511 keV photons from positron annihilation following injection of a positron-emitting tracer. Superior sensitivity to SPECT for matched tracer activity. Almost universally deployed as PET / CT hybrid; PET / MR in selected academic centers.
Why it matters to buyers: Oncology workhorse (FDG), cardiology (Rb-82, FDG), neurology (amyloid, FDG, tau), prostate (PSMA), neuroendocrine (DOTATATE), theranostic follow-up (Lu-177, Ac-225).
Why it matters to engineers: Requires on-site hot lab or radiopharmacy-delivery contract + NRC license. Tracer-delivery logistics and Authorized User credentialing gate program operation.