The Year in Images 2013

Each year, a few images emerge from the masses as the most striking portraits of the newest molecular imaging research. By themselves they stand as works of art in their own right, representing a gallery of different imaging disciplines. In this pictorial review are a few of 2013's most captivating snapshots with details on the compelling research that conceived them.

Image of the Year: Xofigo Treatment Response in Metastatic Breast Cancer

These head and torso scans feature the therapeutic results of two radium-223 dichloride injections (Xofigo), cleared for clinical use by the FDA in May. The triptych comprised a large part of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2013 Image of the Year unveiled during the Annual Meeting in Vancouver, B.C. Hot spots along the spine reveal breast cancer metastases to the bone reduced significantly over the course of treatment. From left to right, the first image represents a baseline fused SPECT/CT of a breast cancer patient with metastatic bone disease. The second is of a baseline fused FDG PET/CT scan, and the third is a follow-up FDG PET/CT scan after two injections of Ra-223 therapy, indicating significant treatment response and approximately a 25 percent reduction in maximum standard uptake value.

— P. Flamen et al, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; SNMMI

Exclusive Look at Cannabinoid Receptor Neuroinflammation Imaging

This never-before-published PET scan was provided by imaging study co-author Rawaha Ahmad, PhD, from the division of nuclear medicine at University Hospital Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. This preliminary biodistribution and dosimetry study shows PET imaging with the novel cannabinoid type 2 receptor ligand C-11 NE40 at different points following injection of the agent. This biomarker binds to the microglial and immune cells of the endocannibinoid system, which has been implicated as a system of interest in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.

— Rawaha Ahmad, PhD, KU Leuven

Atomic Imaging of Flame Retardants Interacting with Human Endocrine System

Flame retardants mimic estradiols in the body, potentially causing havoc on natural endocrine homeostasis, according to new 3D x-ray crystallography research out of the Laboratory of Structural Biology at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The research led in part by research fellow Rajendrakumar A. Gosavi, PhD, and colleagues and published in Environmental Health Perspectives.

— National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Obstructive CAD Imaging: Regadenoson Stress PET/CT Bests SPECT

This PET/CT myocardial perfusion image captures the detection of obstructive CAD during a regadenoson stress and rest tests with Rb-82. This method was found to have 92 percent sensitivity, moreso than SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging, by Edward Hsiao, MD, from the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program and departments of medicine and radiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, et al.

— Journal of Nuclear Imaging

Comparison of Amyloid PET Tracers

This striking review shows F-18 AZD4694 and C-11 PiB PET imaging in four different views representing a range of tracer binding. The examples include sagittal and transaxial F-18 AZD4694 images adjacent to same-slice C-11 PiB images in the same subject. The top two subjects were healthy controls and the bottom two both had a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The research was presented by C. Rowe, MD, from the department of nuclear medicine and Centre for PET at Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, and colleagues.

— Journal of Nuclear Imaging

Intrasurgical Optical Fluorescence Imaging

A showcase of enhanced cancer visualization in surgery and endoscopy through fluorescence molecular imaging as presented by P. Beatriz Garcia-Allende, PhD, from the Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Technische Universitat at Munchen and Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Munich, Germany, and colleagues. The top three images show a color and fluorescence imaging system placed above an ovarian cancer patient prepared for surgery, a color image acquired under white-light illumination, and color image with superimposed green fluorescence. Below from left to right are a white-light image, a fluorescence image before topical administration of fluorescent lectins and a fluorescence image after topical administration of fluorescent lectins taken ex vivo with an endoscope over a segment of excised esophagus.

— Journal of Nuclear Imaging

Preclinical Peak at Cigarette-smoke Related COPD

This panel of images are of ventilation/perfusion in vivo ventilation and perfusion SPECT in preclinical models assessing cigarette-smoke related dysfunction in the lungs leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a unique view of smoker's disease pathology using an emerging lung perfusion technique presented here by Brian N. Jobse, PhD, from the department of medicine and division of respirology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues.

— Journal of Nuclear Imaging