An Ever Moving Target: An evaluation of the challenges and solutions of a mobile PET/CT unit

Objectives: Many institutions are increasingly utilizing mobile imaging scanners as part of their diagnostic imaging armamentarium. Though this may be more common in more rural areas, where medical resources may be scarce, it also has an increasingly growing presence in both urban and suburban centers. Given that many hospitals do not necessarily have enough patient volume to support an in-house PET/CT scanner, utilization of mobile PET/CT is of particular interest. Among the many advantages of mobile PET/CT scanners are increased patient convenience, accessibility, and more efficient optimization of resources. Despite these advantages, mobile PET/CT units present unique challenges unlike their in-house counterparts. We wish to describe some of these challenges and suggested solutions. Methods: We discuss our experiences and the unique challenges with implementing the mobile PET/CT scanners utilized at our institution. This includes concerns and proposed solutions that involve logistics, training, marketing, scheduling, radiotracer storage, and patient satisfaction.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: Many institutions are increasingly utilizing mobile PET/CT scanners as part of their diagnostic repertoire, particularly in resource scarce areas. With the continued and expanding vital role PET/CT plays in diagnosis, staging and monitoring of treatment responses for malignancies, it is expected that the role of mobile PET/CT units would increase as well. Here we review and discuss our experiences, challenges, and solutions from our institution following implementing a mobile PET/CT scanner.