Table 1 Comparative efficacy of various clinical imaging modalities with potential of multimodal applications and their pros and cons
Imaging modality | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
CT1 X-ray | Fast imaging High depth penetration High spatial resolution | Low sensitivity Poor soft tissue contrast Risk of radiation |
MRI2 | Without risk of radiation High spatial resolution High soft tissue contrast Without penetration limit to tumors | Expensive Long imaging time Poor sensibility |
PET3 SPECT4 | Unlimited depth of penetration High sensitivity Fast imaging | Low spatial resolution Risk of radiation Expensive |
US5 | High sensitivity High spatial resolution Real-time Low cost Without risk of radiation Rapid Safe | Operator dependent Limited penetration Low resolution |
Optical imaging | High sensitivity Real-time Cost-effective | Low penetration depth Low spatial resolution |