Page 51 - ARNM-1-2

Advances in Radiotherapy &

Nuclear Medicine

MINI-REVIEW
The significance of image fusion in nuclear

medicine and molecular imaging

1,2
Xiangxing Kong , Hua Zhu 1,2,3 *, and Zhi Yang 1,2,3 *
1 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing),
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of
Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, China
2 Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
3 Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen,
Guangdong, 518055, China

Abstract
Nuclear medicine molecular imaging (NMMI) typically employs radioactive isotopes
to label cells or molecules and then utilizes imaging devices such as positron emission
tomography and single photon emission computed tomography to generate
images. However, the images produced by these devices often suffer from problems
such as signal noise, low resolution, and poor soft-organ contrast. To address
these limitations, image fusion technology merges images from different imaging
modalities, combining multiple types of medical image information obtained
through various imaging techniques. This process generates a more comprehensive
and accurate image, significantly improving image quality, reducing noise, and
ultimately enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness. Image fusion
*Corresponding authors: technology has found widespread applications in NMMI, achieving significant results
Hua Zhu
(zhuhuananjing@163.com) in various fields. This review provides an overview of the development of image
Zhi Yang fusion technology, introduces traditional image fusion techniques, explores deep
(pekyz@163.com) learning-based image fusion methods, and finally discusses the challenges and
Citation: Kong X, Zhu H and future directions of image fusion technology in NMMI.
Yang Z, 2023, The significance of
image fusion in nuclear medicine
and molecular imaging. Adv Keywords: Nuclear medicine molecular imaging; Image fusion; Multimodal medical image
Radiother Nucl Med, 1(2): 0870
https://doi.org/10.36922/arnm.0870
Received: April 27, 2023
Accepted: July 20, 2023
1. Introduction
Published Online: August 17, 2023
Nuclear medicine molecular imaging (NMMI) encompasses the techniques that use
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
This is an Open Access article radioactive tracers, such as radiolabeled drugs, to study biological molecules and
distributed under the terms of the physiological processes. These tracers can be detected and monitored in vivo by specific
Creative Commons Attribution imaging instruments, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, emission computed tomography (SPECT), through changes in absorption, distribution,
provided the original work is and metabolism processes. As a non-invasive diagnostic method, NMMI has been
properly cited. widely used to detect the physiological and metabolic processes related to various
Publisher’s Note: AccScience diseases, providing valuable information for early diagnosis, quantitative evaluation,
Publishing remains neutral with and treatment monitoring. However, due to factors such as the complex tissue structure,
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional diverse imaging methods, and varying imaging parameters, accurately locating and
affiliations. diagnosing lesions through a single modality medical image are usually impossible.

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/arnm.0870