SPECT versus PET article invites bike-versus-car analogy

The SPECT vs. PET debate in your June issue ("Point/Counterpoint," page 42) reminded me of a common, ironic "indication for study" phrase that I, unfortunately, saw too frequently on ER consults during my academic hospital days at the University of Florida: the so-called bike versus car comparison.

Many analogies can be made indicating that single-photon imaging is like a bike and PET is like a car. Like SPECT, bikes have been around a lot longer than cars, and they're going to be around in the future. But the truth is that while there's a time and place for bikes, the mode of transportation when you have to get somewhere is the car.

-Michael Fagien, M.D.

Boca Raton, FL