Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

Telix Pharmaceuticals

PSMA PET 'cold kit' could score FDA approval soon

The cold kit is said to significantly expand the distribution capabilities related to imaging agents.

Thumbnail

Department of Energy awards SHINE $32M in effort to boost domestic isotope supply

The U.S. consumes around half of the world’s supply of Mo-99 and relies largely on other countries to provide the isotope.

phenylephrine FDA

COVID remnants still show up on PET/CT scans years after infection

That’s according to new PET imaging that shows the presence of activated T cells in the brain, spinal cord, gut and lung tissues of individuals who have recovered from COVID.

Hearing aids help slow brain aging in individuals with mild cognitive impairment

Hearing aids help stall brain aging, new imaging study shows

For people with auditory impairment, hearing aid use could slow metabolic decline in regions of the brain associated with cognitive function.

Thumbnail

New Drug Application for PSMA-PET 'cold kit' could expand access to prostate imaging

If approved, the kit could allow for more flexible production of prostate cancer imaging agents.

PSMA PET/CT shows promise for spotting metastatic disease in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Up to 30% of patients have metastatic disease by the time they are initially diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, making accurate staging a critical element of treatment planning. 

A newly identified PET imaging biomarker could help providers tailor immunotherapy treatments for patients with certain types of cancers.

Researchers identify new PET imaging biomarker capable of predicting immunotherapy success

A newly identified PET imaging biomarker could help providers tailor immunotherapy treatments for patients with certain types of cancers. 

Whole-body maximum-intensity projections over time after [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452 administration.

New PET agent offers 'exceptional' imaging of kidney cancer

The agent was found to be better than standard CT imaging for patients with clear cell renal cell cancer.

Around the web

GE HealthCare's flurpiridaz, the PET radiotracer that recently received FDA approval, offers several key benefits over SPECT. Jamshid Maddahi, MD, discussed the details in an exclusive interview. 

Ultrafast MCE could go on to become a go-to treatment option for obstructive coronary artery disease, according to the authors of a new first-in-human clinical study.

Elucid's PlaqueIQ was trained to turn CCTA images into interactive 3D reports that help physicians visualize the presence of atherosclerosis.

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup