MIR Has Been Pivotal in the Development of PET
Central to every nuclear medicine program is positron emission tomography (PET), a powerful imaging test used worldwide that was developed at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. A PET scan or test 'sees' functional changes in tissues and organs. It can detect disease before many other imaging tests. We continue to be at the forefront of PET clinical imaging and research.
Our nuclear medicine physicians interpret over 3500 comprehensive PET exams annually and are known for their expertise, interpretation and innovation. We were the first institution in Missouri to use PET scans to detect amyloid plaque in patients suspected of having Alzheimer's disease. The information provided by PET and other nuclear imaging devices is changing how many diseases, including cancer and heart disease, are treated.
Besides PET, we use single photon emission tomography (SPECT), SPECT-CT and planar imaging. Our clinic performs about 7200 cardiac studies and 6700 general nuclear medicine exams per year. Studies are performed at the north and south campuses of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and at St. Louis Children's Hospital.