Molecular imaging, particularly positron emission tomography (PET), has significantly advanced the diagnosis and management of disease by visualizing biological processes at a cellular and molecular level. PET imaging of the brain, spine, and head/neck, summarized under the umbrella term Neuro-PET, enables noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as dementia, epilepsy, cancer, movement, or autoimmune disorders. The rising prevalence of these conditions, as well as new treatment options necessitating response assessment, are expected to escalate Neuro-PET imaging volumes, with projections for a significant increase in the need for specialized imaging services. This increasing clinical need highlights existing workforce shortages and underscores the need for neuroradiologists to acquire proficiency in molecular imaging. This expanded role seeks to address the growing demand. To this end, we propose a rigorous, structured, patient-centered, and collaborative framework for expanding neuroradiologists' training and practice to include Neuro-PET interpretation. This ASNR consensus statement outlines competency recommendations, training pathways, and implementation strategies to incorporate Neuro-PET into neuroradiology practice. This approach is based on existing guidelines and was informed by survey data from neuroradiologists and molecular imaging subspecialists revealing current practice patterns and training needs. For neuroradiology fellows, structured training encompasses hands-on Neuro-PET imaging experience, understanding the biologic and molecular basis of radiopharmaceuticals used in Neuro-PET, and integrating molecular insights with anatomical data. Neuroradiologists beyond fellowship can undertake practice-based curriculum involving supervised case interpretation, standardized reader training courses, continuing medical education (CME), and peer review. Neuroradiologists, with their in-depth expertise of central nervous system structure and function, are well positioned to meld molecular imaging data with traditional anatomical findings. They can achieve competency and should be granted practice privileges in interpreting Neuro-PET studies through a comprehensive combination of structured training, hands-on clinical experience, and documented CME hours. PET = positron emission tomography; CME = continuing medical education; ACR= American College of Radiology.
Ivanidze et al. (Fri,) studied this question.