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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Rural patients suffer as Tc-99m production stops at Australia's only nuclear medicine generator

The shutdown of Australia’s sole nuclear medicine generator due to mechanical problems is beginning to impact patient treatment, particularly for individuals in rural parts of the country, the Guardian reported.

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Molecular imaging becomes 3D interactive experience with VR

A team of researchers has created a virtual reality (VR) environment that allows users to manipulate 3D molecular proteins 10 times faster than with a 2D screen, according to a July 3 article by the New York Times.

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Fluciclovine PET/CT IDs recurrent prostate cancer, alters patient management

Adding fluorine-18 (18F)-fluciclovine PET/CT to the diagnostic treatment plan of patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer can identify previously undetected lesions and alter treatment management for patients with the disease.

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MR-assisted PET data optimization may improve neuroanalysis of dementia patients

Researchers—led by Kevin Chen, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University's Microrobotics Lab—have found that spatiotemporally correlated data acquired using a single magnetic resonance (MR) sequence may be successfully used in a PET/MRI scanner for PET attenuation, motion and partial effects corrections.

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Satoshi Minoshima named president of SNMMI

A new group of officers has been selected at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2018 annual meeting, including president Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the department of radiology and imaging sciences at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Novel PET, SPECT techniques help track, modify T cells for immunotherapy

With PET and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), researchers have demonstrated that T cells can be modified with the antibody report 1 (DAbR1) gene to enable in vivo tracking for immunotherapy, according to research published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

At SNMMI 2018, Siemens Healthineers Announces FDA Clearance of New Molecular Imaging Functionalities

At the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), June 23-26 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Siemens Healthineers announces the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of four new system features for the Biograph mCT family of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) systems

Rise of PET: 3 areas where nuclear imaging can boost patient-care

Positron emission tomography (PET) has historically been an afterthought in musculoskeletal imaging for many logical reasons, but authors of a new investigation believe the method should play a larger role in managing these patients.

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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.