This invention provides novel cyclooxygenase-2 selective agents that are particularly useful as imaging probes in non-invasive imaging techniques, such as PET and SPECT. Preferred cyclooxygenase-2 selective agents inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 activity with greater potency and specificity than conventional cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Other aspects of the invention include pharmaceutical compositions including the cyclooxygenase-2 selective agents as well as methods for detecting and/or inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2. These methods are particularly useful for diagnosing and treating disorders, such as inflammation, which is characterized by elevated cyclooxygenase-2 levels.