Molecular-Level Imaging Technology to Improve Diagnosis at Pécs Clinic

On Tuesday, the Medical Imaging Clinic of the University of Pécs (PTE) unveiled a new PET-CT device that provides information not only on structural changes in organs but also on tissue metabolism.

The device, that represents the cutting edge of imaging diagnostics and was installed at a cost of HUF 470 million (EUR 1.2 million), can not only determine the exact location of lesions, but also how active they are and to what extent the tissue in question is functioning abnormally.

This solution is of particular importance in the detection of cancerous diseases, the determination of their stage, and the monitoring of the effectiveness of therapy, and it also plays a role in the investigation of certain cardiological and neurological conditions.

One of the most important advantages of the new-generation PET-CT is that it allows for examinations that are three to four times faster than previous devices, increasing patient care capacity and reducing the burden on elderly, painful, or debilitated patients in particular.

In addition, the device provides outstanding image quality and reliable diagnostic results with lower radiation exposure, reads the university’s press release.

They emphasized that

time is of the essence in oncological diseases: faster and more accurate diagnosis can have a direct impact on therapeutic decisions and chances of recovery.

As modern medicine is increasingly moving towards personalized treatments, the role of PET-CT scans is becoming even more important with the rise of new, targeted oncological procedures, as they can be used to determine more accurately which patients will benefit from a given therapy, they noted.

The acquisition of a PET-CT scanner and similar investments are particularly important in a university clinical setting, where high-level teaching and research activities take place alongside patient care. The new equipment will help medical students and specialist trainees to encounter the latest technologies and will support the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Arnold Tóth, director of the PTE Medical Imaging Clinic, pointed out that PET-CT represents one of the highest standards in imaging because it is not only suitable for finding abnormalities within the body, but also provides information about function and operation.

Moreover, by enabling molecular and cellular-level examinations in addition to organs and tissues, it opens the door to a new, more modern world, resulting in new collaborations, research opportunities, and even new therapeutic possibilities,

he added.

The director reported that since the new equipment was put into operation, the number of examinations has increased by at least 20 percent compared to the previous period, meaning that waiting lists are getting shorter. Even during the “busiest” periods in Pécs, patients do not have to wait longer than 1-2 weeks for a PET-CT examination, he said.

Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Kacsúr Tamás

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