Comparison of MPI with common clinical imaging modalities21–25
| Modality | Ultrasound | CT | MRI | PET | SPECT | MPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main clinical applications | Structural imaging | Structural imaging | Structural imaging | Tracer imaging | Tracer imaging | Tracer imaging |
| Spatial resolution | 1 mm | <1 mm | 1 mm | 4 mm | 3–10 mm | 1 mm |
| Temporal resolution | <1 second | Seconds | Seconds to hours | Minutes | Minutes | <1 second to minutes |
| Contrast agents/tracers | Microbubbles | Iodine | Gadolinium, iron oxide particles | Radioactive tracers | Radioactive tracers | Iron oxide particles |
| Sensitivity | Low | Low | Low | High | High | High |
| Patient risk | Heating and cavitation | Radiation | Heating and peripheral nerve stimulation | Radiation | Radiation | Heating and peripheral nerve stimulation |
| Cost | Low | Medium | High | High | Medium | Medium |