University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas has installed a PET scanner, the breast application for which is positron emission mammography (PEM), which will be used both for clinical patients as well as for research focused on lowering radiation dose and novel radiotracers.

PEM imaging shows the location as well as the metabolic phase of a lesion, according to the device maker, San Diego-based Naviscan. This information can help determine whether a lesion is malignant and can influence the course of treatment.

Naviscan said its scanner is an FDA-cleared, CE-certified 3D Molecular Breast Imaging device with biopsy-guidance.