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. 

RSS icon
Thumbnail

68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT offers value for bone metastases in prostate cancer care

Authors of a new study published Sept. 20 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine argue that gallium-68 (68Ga) prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-11 PET/CT imaging can offer additional insight into bone metastases in prostate cancer patients and should be more widely used.

Thumbnail

USP postpones new chapters on safety standards for radiopharmaceuticals

Three chapters published in June by The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) are under appeal and postponed "until further notice."

Thumbnail

FDG-PET/CT radiomic features improves lung cancer care

Integrating 18FDG-PET/CT radiomic tumor and bone marrow features can help predict outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, according to a Sept. 17 study published in Radiology.

Thumbnail

ANSTO confirms another shutdown at Mo-99 facility

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) confirmed it has shut down its Lucas Heights nuclear medicine facility following a “mechanical fault,” The Guardian reported. The shutdown puts an added strain on Australia’s already short supply of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).

Thumbnail

ASNC publishes new amyloidosis imaging guidelines

“We anticipate that these expert multisocietal consensus recommendations on multimodality imaging in cardiac amyloidosis will standardize the diagnosis and improve the management of this highly morbid and underdiagnosed disease," wrote authors of the new guidelines published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology.

Thumbnail

Nuclear medicine, cardio groups reject proposed myocardial PET cuts

Multiple nuclear medicine and cardiology groups are working to oppose potential cuts to myocardial PET scans that were made possible by the CMS 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, according to a joint statement.

Thumbnail

Industry groups oppose proposed myocardial PET cuts

When CMS released the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, it included revisions that could lead to technical component payment reductions of up to 80% for certain services related to myocardial PET scans.

Thumbnail

Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT adds value to prostate cancer management

Using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT to monitor treatment response in prostate cancer patients can offer important lesion-based insights over prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based monitoring, according to a new study published in EJNMMI Research.

Displaying 265 - 272 of 3687

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Positron partners with Upbeat Cardiology Solutions to improve cardiac PET/CT access

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

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.