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23.01.2026 15:40

New cutting-edge technology produces detailed full-body images in a single step

Inka Burow Stabsstelle Kommunikation
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

With the first total-body PET/CT in Germany, the fourth worldwide, Hannover Medical School (MHH) is setting new standards in diagnostics, patient care and research – faster, more precise and with less radiation than ever before.

The Clinic for Nuclear Medicine at Hannover Medical School (MHH) is the first institution in Germany and the fourth in the world to put a total-body PET/CT system with a field of view of around 150 centimetres into operation. This innovative device can capture three-dimensional images of almost the entire human body in a single step. Lower Saxony's Minister of Science, Falko Mohrs, visited the MHH campus today for the official launch of the system. He explained that Lower Saxony is further expanding its pioneering role in nuclear medicine with the new total-body PET/CT: "This device, which is unique in Germany, will not only benefit patients at the MHH and Göttingen University Medical Centre thanks to its high-precision and rapid imaging. It also opens up new possibilities in the research of certain diseases and their interrelationships. In addition, young medical professionals will benefit from this groundbreaking infrastructure, which will enable them to work with state-of-the-art technology from the outset and secure this knowledge in Lower Saxony in the long term. The total-body PET/CT is therefore, in the best sense of the word, an investment in the future with a radiant impact for Lower Saxony and far beyond." MHH President Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner emphasised the importance of the new facility for the university: ‘With the introduction of total-body PET/CT, we are not only strengthening our research, but also enabling our patients to receive state-of-the-art diagnostics at the highest level.’

Combined examination procedure

‘The possibility of whole-body imaging has great potential for diagnostics, treatment and research. The device not only provides more accurate images, it also works faster and emits less radiation – these are significant advantages for patients,’ explained Clinic Director Prof. Dr. Frank Bengel. PET/CT technology is an important component of oncological, immunological, cardiological and neurological diagnostics. It combines two imaging techniques: positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT). PET examinations are used to visualise molecular processes in the body. To make them visible, lightly radioactively labelled tracers are used. One commonly used tracer is FDG, a radioactively enriched type of sugar that helps to detect cancerous tumours. ‘Cancer cells consume more sugar. Due to their increased metabolic activity, we can identify tumours with the highest sensitivity,’ says Prof. Dr. Sibylle Ziegler, head of PET research at the Clinic for Nuclear Medicine. CT examinations, on the other hand, produce 3D cross-sectional images that show bones, organs and vessels in detail. In a combined PET/CT examination, both scans are performed directly after each other in the same device unit. These images are then merged on the computer. ‘This brings together functional and anatomical information. Tumours or even inflammations can be precisely localised,’ explains Professor Ziegler. The conventional PET/CT system at the Clinic for Nuclear Medicine can only capture a field of view of about 25 centimetres.

Images from the crown of the head to the thighs

The new total-body PET/CT system now takes this technology to a whole new level. Instead of the previous standard field of view of 25 centimetres, the new device offers a field of view of up to 150 centimetres. ‘With a single scan, we can create three-dimensional images of the human body from head to thigh,’ says Professor Ziegler. ‘This means that we can capture the molecular processes in almost the entire body at the same time. This allows us to view the body as a complete system, which goes beyond the usual view of individual organs.’ These overviews are very important, for example, in the visualisation of metastases from a primary tumour scattered throughout the body. Previously, nuclear medicine specialists had to take several small-area images in succession and then combine them on a computer to form a large overview. Such an image took about 20 to 25 minutes to produce. The new device can deliver these large-area images in less than a minute.

Faster and gentler

The shorter time spent in the ‘tube’ is a major advantage for patients, for example if they are unable to remain in one position for long periods due to pain, or in the case of small children who find it difficult to lie still for long periods. In addition, patients also benefit from the fact that total-body PET/CT requires less radiation, making the examinations gentler. ‘The measurement technology is extremely sensitive and requires significantly lower doses of radioactivity to achieve the required image quality,’ explains Professor Ziegler. Although less radiation is used, the images are more contrast-rich and sharper than those produced by conventional devices. The expert is particularly impressed by the fact that the images show much more detail. ‘The images have a resolution of up to three millimetres. That's fantastic when you consider that the previous standard was over four millimetres.’

New opportunities for research

The ability to visualise molecular processes simultaneously throughout almost the entire body is advancing diagnostic imaging. This may now make it possible to detect the success of cancer therapy earlier and more effectively and to tailor the therapy more precisely. The team at the Clinic for Nuclear Medicine will be able to examine significantly more patients per day with the new total-body PET/CT. However, this cutting-edge technology will not only be used for clinical purposes. It also opens up completely new perspectives for researchers in numerous disciplines, for example when it comes to developing and using new tracers or new drugs.

Scientific opening symposium

A scientific opening symposium was held today to mark the launch. Prof. Dr. Simon Cherry from the University of California, Davis, a pioneer in the field of total-body PET/CT and a trailblazer in the technology, was the keynote speaker. The biomedical engineer considers the MHH to be one of the world's leading research centres for cardiovascular molecular imaging and is enthusiastic about the installation of the whole-body PET/CT scanner. ‘I am convinced that the combination of the best PET imaging technology and an outstanding team that understands the value of a systemic approach to disease research will lead to fundamental new insights with great clinical significance.’

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Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Professor Frank Bengel, telephone 0511 532-2577, bengel.frank@mh-hannover.de and Professor Sibylle Ziegler, telephone (0511) 532-38090, ziegler.sibylle@mh-hannover.de.

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Official launch of the first total-body PET/CT system in Germany: Professor Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, ...
Quelle: Karin Kaiser
Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH

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Detailed insight: Clinic Director Prof. Dr. Frank Bengel (right) examines an image from the total-bo ...
Quelle: Karin Kaiser
Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH

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