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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Adding whole-body PET/MRI improves evaluation of colorectal cancer

Compared with conventional multi-detector, contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) alone, CECT with integrated whole-body PET/MRI is better at detecting metastatic lesions and characterizing indeterminate lesions in the colon.

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New presurgical imaging protocol produces more seizure-free outcomes for pediatric epilepsy patients

Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that pediatric epilepsy patients imaged prior to neurosurgery with a new protocol have a greater chance of being seizure-free following the operation than those imaged using an older protocol.

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CMS just says 'No' to sodium fluoride PET

CMS has finalized its proposal of last September not to pay for PET scans using the sodium-fluoride radiopharmaceutical NaF-18, which the agency says still lacks evidence backing it as “reasonable and necessary” in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer that has metastasized to the bones. 

High-risk cancer patients may be better managed with combined imaging modalities

PET/CT performed after the administration of both F-18 sodium fluoride (NaF) and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) beats both whole-body MRI and bone scintigraphy on accuracy in evaluating metastasis to bones from advanced breast and prostate cancers, according to a preliminary study running in the December issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Is inhaling magnetized gas doable for pulmonary patients?

Research is underway to magnetize gas that patients can inhale as an MR signal source. The goal is to obtain highly precise imaging of lungs troubled with asthma, COPD or other disease.  

Akrotome Imaging Receives $1.7M Grant from NIH to Advance Research for Technology that Sheds a “Light” on Cancer

Akrotome Imaging Inc., a Cleveland-based medical imaging technology company, has received a major award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to complete development and commercialization of its leading-edge imaging platform.

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SHINE, GE Healthcare announce progress on Mo-99 production

SHINE Medical Technologies, a Monona, Wis.-based medical isotope manufacturer, and GE Healthcare announced this week that SHINE’s molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) was used to successfully obtain technetium-99m (Tc‑99m) from GE Healthcare’s Drytec technetium generator. 

Suspicious internal mammary lymph nodes after breast implants likely benign

For women who underwent silicone implant reconstruction after breast cancer treatment, enlarged internal mammary lymph nodes (IMLNs) can be a cause for concern. However, a new study published in the November issue of Radiology has demonstrated that in most cases, IMLNs spotted on MRI are benign.

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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.