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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New radiotracers may gain ground in FDG territory

PET/CT with the radiotracer 18F-FDG may have met its match at cancer detection in two new “FAPI” tracers based on gallium-68. The acronym stands for fibroblast activation protein inhibitor, and in a recent trial the new tracers equaled or bettered FDG PET/CT on image quality, required no fasting and yielded images in less time than FDG PET/CT.

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Experts want Ontario to change law forbidding cremation of bodies treated with radioactive therapy

In Ontario, Canada, it is illegal to cremate a patient who has received the radiation treatment brachytherapy. Radiation experts are now calling on the province to change the law, according to a report by CBC News.

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FDG PET/CT effectively monitors immunotherapy for melanoma patients

Measuring the effectiveness of treatment in metastatic melanoma patients is difficult, but a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine found 18F-FDG PET/CT could accurately monitor immunotherapy with ipilimumab in these patients.

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ACR statement seeks to calm fears over radioactive material in cremated bodies

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) released a joint statement Monday, March 5, to quell potential fears sparked by a recent research letter investigating the presence of radioactive materials in cremated bodies.

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Cell phones can disrupt gamma cameras, but should they be banned?

The electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted by cell phones may negatively impact gamma cameras, according to results of study published in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences. But does that necessitate an outright ban?

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Contamination of Arizona crematory raises questions of how to manage postmortem radiopharmaceuticals

The body of a 69-year-old male patient treated with lutetium-177 dotate contaminated an Arizona crematorium after radioactive material was found on equipment there, Tech Times reported. The incident has raised questions about the postmortem management of radiopharmaceuticals.

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Department of Energy seeks agreement to produce Mo-99 domestically

The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has chosen four U.S. companies to begin negotiations with in an effort to produce Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) without the use of highly enriched uranium.

Novel PET/CT tracer safe, effective for diagnosing acute venous thromboembolism

A novel PET/CT imaging agent—18F-GP1—produced a high-quality image and yielded a high detection rate for diagnosing acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), reported researchers of a study featured in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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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.