Essential for students, science and medical graduates who want to understand the basic science of Positron Emission Tomography (PET), this book describes the physics, chemistry, technology and overview of the clinical uses behind the science of PET and the imaging techniques it uses. In recent years, PET has moved from high-end research imaging tool used by the highly specialized to an essential component of clinical evaluation in the clinic, especially in cancer management. Previously being the realm of scientists, this book explains PET instrumentation, radiochemistry, PET data acquisition and image formation, integration of structural and functional images, radiation dosimetry and protection, and applications in dedicated areas such as drug development, oncology, and gene expression imaging. The technologist, the science, engineering or chemistry graduate seeking further detailed information about PET, or the medical advanced trainee wishing to gain insight into the basic science of PET will find this book invaluable.

This book is primarily repackaged content from the Basic Science section of the 'big' Valk book on PET. It contains new, completely revised and unchanged chapters covering the "basic sciences" section of the main book - total 18 chapters:

• 2 new (chapters 1, 16)
• 8 completely revised (chapters 4, 5, 8, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
• 3 minor corrections (chapters 2, 6, 11)
• 5 unchanged (chapters 3, 7, 9, 10, 12)

From the reviews:

It is, simply put, the best work I have encountered on the "non-clinical" aspects of the important field of PET. The scientific features are explained clearly at all levels and are well illustrated so that the treatment will suit both experts in physics and radiochemistry and newcomers hoping to understand and perhaps use the techniques. The recent - and now seemingly indispensable - addition of CT to PET scanners is covered by discussions of theory, image registration and attenuation correction. At only £65 this book is a bargain. My only criticism of the book then is the sense of frustration it arouses by not having the equipment available to start exploiting it.  [RAD Magazine, February, 2006]

According to the authors, the purpose is to provide a comprehensive "science of PET" textbook which is more focused and manageable than the original. The authors' intent is "to illustrate the power of clinical PET in substantially altering patient management, thereby avoiding futile aggressive therapy and improving cost effectiveness." The purpose and intent are very laudable, because PET is rapidly gaining momentum in the clinical arena. The book meets the authors' objectives in a superb manner. This book is a must read for physicists, chemists, physicians, and advanced technologists involved or interested in PET. It is the definitive reference in the field at the time of publication. (William R. Hendee, Doody Enterprises, Inc. - COPYRIGHT 2006)

"Positron Emission Tomography: Basic Sciences is a well written book ? . This book provides a detailed discussion of the fusion process and the role of CT for anatomical localisation and attenuation correction ? . What makes this book important and informative to any reader is that it is a collection of chapters written by luminaries in the field of PET. ? We would recommend it to any scientists and clinicians with an interest in medical imaging." (Seu Som and Peter Lim,CancerForum, Vol. 30 (3), November, 2006)

"Essential for students, science and medical graduates who want to understand the basic science of Positron Emission Tomography (PET), this book describes the physics, chemistry, technology and overview of the clinical uses behind the science of PET and the imaging techniques it uses. ? The technologist, the science engineering or chemistry graduate seeking further detailed information about PET, or the medical advanced trainee wishing to gain insight into the basic science of PET will faind (sic) this book invaluable." (Rivista di Neuroradiologia, Vol. 18 (2), 2005)