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. 

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Hybrid PET/MRI spares 20% of brain tumor patients from unnecessary follow-up treatment

18F-FET PET/MR also changed providers' clinical management plans in more than 30% of cases, experts reported recently.

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GE Healthcare, NorthStar sign exclusive radioisotope agreement

The deal includes manufacturing and distribution rights for Iodine-123 capsules, commonly used during thyroid imaging exams.

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FDA awards clearance to first portable PET scanner

The BBX-PET machine can be wheeled into a physician's office, hospital room, or other healthcare settings to deliver point-of-care service.

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Fluorescent imaging agent detects cervical cancer in real time

The novel radiopharmaceutical may one day eliminate the need for needle biopsies, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center researchers.

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Molecular imaging firms teaming up on $8.9M whole-body PET/CT project

GE Healthcare and AI specialist Quibim are two big players signed up to develop the prototype, which is expected to be finished by 2023.

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Imaging agent targets iron-rich cancer cells, with potential far beyond oncology

The radiotracer 18F-TRX accurately determines which tumors are most likely to respond to targeted therapy, nuclear medicine researchers reported.

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CMS launches coverage determination for beta-amyloid PET scans following Alzheimer’s drug approval

Multiple imaging advocates, notably SNMMI, have been calling on the federal agency to update its policies and require amyloid results prior to starting treatment with Aduhelm.

FDA calls for investigation into Alzheimer’s drug; imaging group maintains amyloid PET is key

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging says such scans are key for diagnosing the disease and will be monitoring the administration's findings.

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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

Cardiovascular Business
FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer. 

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