UNAM PET/CT Unit Achieves International Quality Accreditation (EARL/EANM 2026)

A medical imaging unit at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has achieved a significant international accreditation, ensuring its diagnostic capabilities meet global standards. The PET/CT Unit of the Faculty of Medicine received the EARL/EANM 2026 accreditation for its Siemens Biograph Vision 600 equipment, effective from 2026.

Advanced Imaging Standards Confirmed

This accreditation, awarded by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, validates that the unit’s calibration procedures, image acquisition protocols and processing criteria deliver diagnostic quality comparable to leading centers worldwide. Quality control data submitted by the UNAM unit fell within the acceptable parameters established by EARL.

Did You Know? The accreditation specifically confirms adherence to “¹⁸F standards 2” for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a crucial imaging technique, particularly in oncology, used to identify areas of high metabolic activity associated with tumors or inflammatory processes. A key quantitative measure in PET imaging is the Standardized Uptake Value (SUV), and its reliability hinges on rigorous standardization of technical procedures.

Technological Advancements Drive Quality

The accreditation recognizes the unit’s use of cutting-edge technology, including Time-of-Flight (TOF) and Point Spread Function (PSF). These technologies enhance image quality, improving lesion localization and providing clearer definition of anatomical structures, ultimately aiding in the detection of small lesions.

Expert Insight: International accreditation of this kind is vital because it allows for the reliable comparison of data across different medical centers. Harmonizing image reconstruction and quantification methods ensures that findings, including SUV values, are consistent and comparable, fostering collaboration and advancing research.

According to the EARL documentation, the accreditation “guarantees a similar performance of the systems within a multicenter environment by harmonizing the reconstructions for the quantification of PET/CT | PET/MR studies.” This allows accredited centers to confidently compare, exchange, and combine PET/CT and PET/MR findings.

Impact on Patient Care, Education, and Research

This achievement is expected to strengthen the PET/CT Unit’s core objectives. In patient care, it will ensure diagnoses meet international quality standards. In education, it will serve as a benchmark for training medical professionals, physicists, and technicians in molecular imaging. And in research, it will facilitate participation in international multicenter protocols and publications, enabling valid comparisons of quantitative data with leading global centers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PET imaging used for?

PET, or Positron Emission Tomography, is a medical imaging technique used primarily in oncology to evaluate and detect regions with high metabolic activity associated with tumors or inflammatory processes.

What does the EARL/EANM accreditation signify?

The EARL/EANM 2026 accreditation confirms that the UNAM Faculty of Medicine’s PET/CT Unit meets international standards of quality in acquiring, reconstructing, and quantifying PET studies.

How does this accreditation benefit patients?

This accreditation will ensure that patients receive diagnoses with quality comparable to international standards.

How might advancements in medical imaging technology continue to shape cancer diagnosis and treatment in the years to come?