Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. 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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folate-based radiopharmaceuticals

Folate-based radiopharmaceuticals could improve detection of gliomas

According to new research, gliomas—a deadly group of brain tumors that are difficult to treat—have increased folate receptor expression, meaning they also show increased uptake of folate-based radiopharmaceuticals on PET imaging.

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Do clinicians want radiologists' management advice? Interviews shed some light on 'unwanted' recommendations

Clinicians only want the information they need to make treatment decisions, rather than advice on what actions they should take, the survey found. 

brain money alzheimer dementia

Will PET imaging be covered alongside new Alzheimer's drugs? CMS dodges topic in new coverage decision

The recent CMS coverage determination did not make any mention of beta-amyloid PET imaging that is necessary for both diagnosing Alzheimer’s and monitoring the effectiveness of related treatments.

Two examples of PSMA-PET scans showing numerous prostate cancer metastases spread throughout the body. Many of these smaller tumors would not have been dected on previous standard-of-care imaging. Photo on left courtesy of SNMMI, right University of Chicago. #PSMAPET

PSMA-PET a more cost-effective option for patients long-term compared to standard prostate imaging

The findings support adopting F-18 DCFPyL PET/CT as the standard of care for prostate cancer staging, authors of a new Scientific Reports paper concluded.

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Radioactive substances unnecessary in new method for measuring brain glucose metabolism

Rather than administering radiolabeled glucose for exams, imagers give patients a small amount of a harmless glucose solution that is said to be equivalent to a can of a carbonated drink.

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Accessibility, reimbursement and other issues limit uptake of PET/CT among oncologists, survey reveals

Difficulty obtaining PET/CT scans was reported by 55% of respondents, with 21% citing this as the greatest barrier in treating classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

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MRI and PET findings could guide treatment of lingering concussion symptoms

Abnormalities of the thalamus could be to blame for persistent symptoms in the months following a concussion, according to new research.

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Experts release new appropriate use criteria for lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node mapping

The AUC includes a total of 32 clinical scenarios that have been grouped into four categories of cancer: breast, skin, cancer of other sites and lymphedema.

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GE HealthCare launches new cardiac CT scanner with advanced AI capabilities

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Bracco updates HeartSee coronary flow capacity software with new diagnostic features

Clinicians have been using HeartSee to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease since the technology first debuted back in 2018. These latest updates, set to roll out to existing users, are designed to improve diagnostic performance and user access.

Cardiovascular Business
Key trends in diagnostic heart testing: CT on the rise as some traditional techniques fall out of favor

The cardiac technologies clinicians use for CVD evaluations have changed significantly in recent years, according to a new analysis of CMS data. While some modalities are on the rise, others are being utilized much less than ever before.