Dr. Arben Dhima is a radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist with over 25 years of experience in diagnostic imaging, with a particular focus on the diagnosis and management of oncological diseases through modern hybrid imaging techniques. His expertise includes the use of advanced methods such as PET/CT (FDG, Methionine, and PSMA), SPECT/CT, and Total Body CT, which are essential for early diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of oncological diseases.
Throughout his career, he has undertaken a number of international trainings and specialized programs in prestigious medical centers across Europe, including Italy and Austria, where he developed advanced expertise in radiology and nuclear medicine.
One of his most significant professional experiences was a one-year specialization at the Innsbruck University Medical Center, where he was trained in modern imaging techniques and contributed to the analysis of more than 4,000 PET/CT examinations.
Most recently, in 2025, Dr. Dhima completed a long-term professional training program in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Humanitas Research Hospital, one of the most prestigious research and treatment centers in Europe. During this program, he performed and interpreted PET/CT examinations using a wide range of radiopharmaceuticals (18F-FDG, 18F-PSMA-1007, 68Ga-PSMA, 11C Methionine, 18F-FET, 18F-DOPA, 68Ga-DOTA-TOC), participated in multidisciplinary tumor boards, and contributed to the preparation of a scientific publication on treatment response assessment criteria in oncology titled:
“THE IMPORTANCE OF MOLECULAR IMAGING RESPONSE CRITERIA: RATIONALE AND OVERVIEW”, British Journal of Radiology, Oxford Academic.
He has also participated in international congresses in radiology and nuclear medicine in cities such as Lyon, Hamburg, and Barcelona, staying continuously updated with the latest scientific and technological advancements in medical imaging.
During his clinical practice, Dr. Dhima has worked as a radiologist at the “Medicare” Diagnostic Center and has served as Head of the Nuclear Medicine Service at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana. Currently, Dr. Dhima works as a radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist at American Hospital in Tirana, where he serves as Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at American Hospitals 1 and 3, and Head of the PET/CT Service at Hygeia Hospital, contributing to advanced diagnostics and multidisciplinary patient management, particularly in oncology.
Education & Professional Training
• July 1994 — Degree in General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
• 1997–2001 — Specialization in Radiology, University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, Tirana — Degree in Radiology
• March–September 2001 — Advanced training in Total Body CT, Policlinico di Bari, Italy
Experience with over 2,000 CT examinations in abdominal imaging, emergency diagnostics, and oncological staging, as well as approximately 900 hours of radiology board discussions focused on Total Body CT
• 2003–2004 — Master’s Degree
• 17 April–17 July 2005 — Training in Nuclear Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
Focus on thyroid, bone, and renal scintigraphy, as well as SPECT/CT, particularly for staging neuroendocrine tumors and differentiated thyroid carcinoma
• 2007 — Training in Nuclear Medicine at UHC “Mother Teresa”, in collaboration with IFB Tirana
• 2008–2009 — One-year specialization in conventional scintigraphy and hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT & PET/CT) at Innsbruck University Medical Center, Austria
Focus on oncology, participation in multidisciplinary tumor boards, including treatment of hepatic tumors (HCC) with Yttrium-90 and neuroendocrine tumors with Lutetium-177
Experience with over 4,000 PET/CT examinations using radiopharmaceuticals such as FDG, 18F-Choline, and Ga-68 DOTA (DOTA-TOC, DOTA-TATE)
• August 2010 — Advanced training in thyroid cancer management, Innsbruck, Austria
• September 2012 — Training in thyroid cancer treatment and SPECT/CT, Rome, Italy
• October 2013 – present — Continuous participation in Annual Nuclear Medicine Congresses in cities such as Lyon, Hamburg, and Barcelona
• December 2025 — Advanced clinical training in Nuclear Medicine at Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
Clinical & Professional Experience
• 1994–1996 — General practitioner, Vlora Hospital
• 2001–2007 — Radiologist at “Medicare” Diagnostic Center, focusing on abdominal, thoracic CT and neuroradiology
• 2007–2016 — Nuclear Medicine Physician at UHC “Mother Teresa”, Tirana
Served as Head of the Nuclear Medicine Service
• 2016–present — Nuclear Medicine Physician and Radiologist at American Hospital, Tirana, Department of Advanced Imaging
Head of the Nuclear Medicine Service at American Hospitals 1 and 3 and Head of the PET/CT Service at Hygeia Hospital
