English abstract
he value of a positron emission tomography and X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) combined
service in terms of diagnostic accuracy, cost-effectiveness and impact on clinical decision-making is well documented in the literature. Its role in the management of patients presenting with cancer is shifting from early
staging and restaging to the early assessment of the treatment response. Currently, the application of PET/CT has
extended to non-oncological specialties—mainly neurology, cardiology and rheumatology. A further emerging
application for PET/CT is the imaging of infection/inflammation. This article illustrates some of the PET/CT
applications in both oncological and non-oncological disorders. In view of the absence of this modality in Oman,
this article aims to increase the awareness of the importance of these imaging modalities and their significant
impact on diagnosis and management in both oncological and non-oncological specialties for patients of all age
groups as well as the decision-makers.
