The current status and future prospects for molecular imaging-guided precision surgery

Cancer Imaging, vol. 22, pp. 48

Abstract

Molecular imaging technologies are increasingly used to diagnose, monitor, and guide treatment of i.e., cancer. In this review, the current status and future prospects of the use of molecular imaging as an instrument to help realize precision surgery is addressed with focus on the main components that form the conceptual basis of intraoperative molecular imaging. Paramount for successful interventions is the relevance and accessibility of surgical targets. In addition, selection of the correct combination of imaging agents and modalities is critical to visualize both microscopic and bulk disease sites with high affinity and specificity. In this context developments within engineering/imaging physics continue to drive the growth of image-guided surgery. Particularly important herein is enhancement of sensitivity through improved contrast and spatial resolution, features that are critical if sites of cancer involvement are not to be overlooked during surgery. By facilitating the connection between surgical planning and surgical execution, digital surgery technologies such as computer-aided visualization nicely complement these technologies. The complexity of image guidance, combined with the plurality of technologies that are becoming available, also drives the need for evaluation mechanisms that can objectively score the impact that technologies exert on the performance of healthcare professionals and outcome improvement for patients.

Authors 9

1. Imke Boekestijn Aachen Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center Section of Nuclear Medicine Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

   Section of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

2. Matthias N. van Oosterom Aachen Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

3. Paolo Dell’Oglio Aachen Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Urology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy

   Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

4. Floris H. P. van Velden Aachen Medical Physics Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Medical Physics, Department of Radiology , Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

5. Martin Pool Aachen Department of Clinical Farmacy and Toxicology

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Clinical Farmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

6. Tobias Maurer

   Martini-Klinik

   Affiliation as printed

   Martini-Klinik Prostate Cancer Centre Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

7. Daphne D. D. Rietbergen Aachen Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center Section of Nuclear Medicine Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

   Section of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

8. Tessa Buckle Aachen Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

9. Fijs W. B. van Leeuwen corresponding Aachen Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. f.w.b.van_leeuwen@lumc.nl

   Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands