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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'Quite impressive': ChatGPT generates a nuclear medicine report

The generated report included indication, findings laid out numerically, TNM stage, impression and follow-up recommendations.

New practice guidelines for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors

Issued by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the new guidelines are intended to inform any practitioners involved in ordering, performing, reading and reporting SSTR PET imaging.

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Amyloid plaque patterns on PET imaging predict Alzheimer's progression in asymptomatic patients

Experts involved in the new research suggest that identifying these spatiotemporal variations could play an important role in clinical research and precision medicine. 

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E-cigarettes cause worse inflammation than tobacco cigarettes, new PET data shows

The use of e-cigarettes has increased significantly in recent years, mostly due to the fact that many consumers believe them to be a safer option than traditional cigarettes.

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Advanced PET/MRI protocols boost lung cancer detection

Experts involved in the new research indicate that PET/MRI could have an increasingly prevalent role in lung cancer staging and restaging.

new radiotracer studies inflammation

New radiotracer could change how radiologists understand inflammation

Labeled as LW223, the fluorinated PET radiotracer is the first of its kind to be impervious to rs6971 polymorphism—a genetic mutation that inhibits the diagnostic view of inflammation imaging.

vaccine syringe covid-19 coronavirus

PET radiotracer reduces false positives owed to COVID vaccination

With COVID booster vaccinations expected to continue, the new findings are especially relevant.

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Plans for another nuclear facility that can produce medical isotopes in the works

Many of the facilities that produce these critical isotopes are aging, which is a big cause for concern in the future among experts in the field, many of whom believe that the supply chain for radioisotopes is already fragile.

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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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