PET imaging utilization and trends in Germany: a comprehensive survey.

Abstract

PET imaging is a key diagnostic procedure in clinical routine worldwide. While public figures on PET volume are available in many countries, until now these numbers were not publicly known for Germany. On behalf of the PET committee of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine, we conducted a comprehensive survey among PET centers in Germany to collect data on PET imaging, including the total PET volume and indication groups. National total PET volume in 2021 was 154,400 scans (94% PET/CT, 6% PET/MRI). PET volume in 2021 normalized to total population was lower in Germany (1,857 scans per 1 million inhabitants) when compared to public figures from France (10,182 scans), Belgium (9,866 scans), or Italy (4,312 scans). PET volume in Germany demonstrated significant growth 2017 to 2021 (+ 48%). Top three indication fields were oncological (re)staging (76%), theranostic (13%), and neurology (4%). The top three indications were lung cancer (31%), prostate cancer (16%), and lymphoma/leukemia (12%). The top three radiotracers used were [¹⁸F]FDG (75%), PSMA radioligands (17%), and somatostatin-receptor radioligands (8%). Clinical adoption of PET imaging in Germany is behind compared to Italy, France, and Belgium. However, newly established outpatient reimbursement seems to contribute to recent growth in PET volume. We observe considerable shift towards theranostic applications.