Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is an advanced nuclear medicine imaging modality that plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and follow-up of oncological, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases. In Senegal, the absence of PET infrastructure restricts access to molecular imaging and limits the integration of this technology into clinical practice. To better understand the needs and potential for PET implementation, this study assessed the knowledge, potential uses, and expectations of Senegalese healthcare professionals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 practitioners across Senegal using a structured questionnaire addressing their knowledge, practices, and perceptions. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to identify major trends. The study population was predominantly male (74%), with a sex ratio of 2.9. It consisted mainly of physicians (65.8%) and pharmacists (30.8%). Most respondents were familiar with the principles of PET and the role of radiotracers (82.5%), with [1?F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) being the most frequently cited (45.8%). Only 11.7% had previously been prescribed PET scans. Interest in PET was particularly high in oncology, especially for the management of digestive (54.2%), pulmonary (49.2%), and urological (47.5%) cancers. Although major barriers such as the lack of infrastructure and the high cost of examinations were identified, the Dakar region was considered the most suitable location for establishing a national radiotracer production facility and PET center. These findings highlight a strong interest and structured demand for PET imaging in Senegal. Establishing a national radiotracer production center and training qualified professionals are key steps toward introducing this technology. Female participation in the field could be enhanced through awareness and training initiatives in nuclear medicine.
References
[1]
de Dreuille, O., Maszelin, P., Foehrenbach, H., Bonardel, G. and Gaillard, J. (2004) Principe et technique de la tomographie par émission de positons (TEP). EMC—Radiologie, 1, 2-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emcrad.2003.12.001
[2]
Sakho, I. (2024) Nuclear Physics 2: Radiochronometers and Radiopharmaceuticals. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394299034
[3]
Achy, O.B., Paycha, F., Gambini, D.J., Duet, M., Kouamé-Koutouan, A., Patrick, J., et al. (2013) Enjeux, défis, opportunités et stratégie durable d’implantation de l’imagerie hybride TEMP/TDM dans un pays à ressources médicales limitées, la Côte d’Ivoire. MédecineNucléaire, 37, 545-554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mednuc.2013.09.014
[4]
Adambounou, K., Adjenou, K.V., Achy, O.B., Mossi, K.E., Gbande, P., Adigo, A.M.Y., et al. (2015) Connaissances et perception de la médecine nucléaire par les médecins togolais. MédecineNucléaire, 39, e15-e20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mednuc.2014.10.003
[5]
Ukweh, O., Omofoye, T.S., Naif, A., Rajab, L., Chan, S.M., Gichoya, J., et al. (2024) Scarcity of Women in Interventional Radiology in Subsaharan Africa: Survey and Insights. JournalofGlobalRadiology, 10, Article 752. https://doi.org/10.7191/jgr.752
[6]
Jadvar, H., Colletti, P.M., Delgado-Bolton, R., Esposito, G., Krause, B.J., Iagaru, A.H., et al. (2017) Appropriate Use Criteria for 18F-FDG PET/CT in Restaging and Treatment Response Assessment of Malignant Disease. JournalofNuclearMedicine, 58, 2026-2037. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.117.197988
[7]
Townsend, D.W. (2000) 18F FDG PET/CT Imaging in Oncology—Methodological Principles and Clinical Applications. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 27, 867-872.
[8]
Hofman, M.S. and Hicks, R.J. (2016) How We Read Oncologic FDG PET/CT. CancerImaging, 16, Article No. 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40644-016-0091-3
[9]
Gossili, F., Mogensen, A.W., Konnerup, T.C., Bouchelouche, K., Alberts, I., Afshar-Oromieh, A., et al. (2023) The Diagnostic Accuracy of Radiolabeled PSMA-Ligand PET for Tumour Staging in Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer Patients Compared to Histopathology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. EuropeanJournalofNuclearMedicineandMolecularImaging, 51, 281-294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-023-06392-0
[10]
Han, S., Suh, C.H., Woo, S., Kim, Y.J. and Lee, J.J. (2018) Performance of 68Ga-Dota-Conjugated Somatostatin Receptor-Targeting Peptide PET in Detection of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JournalofNuclearMedicine, 60, 369-376. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.118.211706
[11]
Lawal, I.O. (2023) Nuclear Medicine Training: Skills and Competencies Required for Practice in the 21st Century. WorldJournalofNuclearMedicine, 22, 75-77. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1769588
[12]
Manzana, L.C., Chipeya, L.R. and Bresser, P. (2024) Experiences of Nuclear Medicine Technologists Working in PET/CT Facilities in Gauteng Province, South Africa. JournalofNuclearMedicineTechnology, 52, 163-167. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnmt.123.266240
[13]
International Atomic Energy Agency (2021) Atlas of Non FDG PET-CT in Diagnostic Oncology. IAEA Human Health Series No. 38. IAEA.
[14]
Nabih Oueriagli, S., Biyi, A., Arsalane, A., Kabiri, E.H., Mansouri, H. and Doudouh, A. (2013) Apport de la TEP/TDM dans les cancers broncho-pulmonaires: Étude d’une série de 35 cas. MédecineNucléaire, 37, 462-465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mednuc.2013.09.028
[15]
Doudouh, A., Oueriagli, S.N. and Biyi, A. (2013) Valeur de la TEP-FDG dans la détection précoce des métastases osseuses: Étude d’une série de 20 cas. MédecineNucléaire, 37, 472-476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mednuc.2013.09.003
[16]
Albert, N.L., Weller, M., Suchorska, B., Galldiks, N., Soffietti, R., Kim, M.M., et al. (2016) Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Working Group and European Association for Neuro-Oncology Recommendations for the Clinical Use of PET Imaging in Gliomas. Neuro-Oncology, 18, 1199-1208. https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/now058
[17]
Mosima, L., Manicum, A.E. and Summers, B. (2025) Barriers to Radiopharmaceutical Services in Anglophone Africa. ClinicalandTranslationalImaging, 13, 441-451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40336-025-00708-w
[18]
Zurn, P., Codjia, L., Sall, F.L. and Braichet, J. (2010) How to Recruit and Retain Health Workers in Underserved Areas: The Senegalese Experience. Bulletin of the World HealthOrganization, 88, 386-389. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.09.070730
[19]
Nagai, M., Fujita, N., Diouf, I. and Salla, M. (2017) Retention of Qualified Healthcare Workers in Rural Senegal: Lessons Learned from a Qualitative Study. RuralandRemoteHealth, 17, Article No. 4149. https://doi.org/10.22605/rrh4149
[20]
Honda, A., Krucien, N., Ryan, M., Diouf, I.S.N., Salla, M., Nagai, M., et al. (2019) For More than Money: Willingness of Health Professionals to Stay in Remote Senegal. HumanResourcesforHealth, 17, Article No. 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0363-7
[21]
Aragie, H., Negash, H.K., Getnet, M., Tesfaye, W., Gela, Y.Y., Asefa, T., et al. (2025) Barriers to Healthcare Access: A Multilevel Analysis of Individual-and Community-Level Factors Affecting Female Youths’ Access to Healthcare Services in Senegal. BMCHealthServicesResearch, 25, Article No. 607. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12761-2
[22]
Adambounou, K., Ahonyi, K.A., Houndetoungan, G.D., Ouedraogo, P.A., Ntimon, B., Sod-ogas, F., et al. (2022) Knowledge and Perception of Nuclear Medicine by Radiologists in French-Speaking Sub-Saharan Africa. Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 10, 68-77.
[23]
Althubaiti, A. (2016) Information Bias in Health Research: Definition, Pitfalls, and Adjustment Methods. JournalofMultidisciplinaryHealthcare, 9, 211-217. https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s104807
[24]
Bowling, A. (2005) Mode of Questionnaire Administration Can Have Serious Effects on Data Quality. JournalofPublicHealth, 27, 281-291. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdi031
[25]
Podsakoff, P.M., MacKenzie, S.B., Lee, J. and Podsakoff, N.P. (2003) Common Method Biases in Behavioral Research: A Critical Review of the Literature and Recommended Remedies. JournalofAppliedPsychology, 88, 879-903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879