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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SNMMI Image of the Year 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT heart attack acute myocardial infarction

‘Image of the Year’ highlights the predictive power of a new PET imaging agent

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has chosen its 2022 Image of the Year, and it’s one that is sure to interest anyone in the field of cardiac imaging.

PSMA PET mapping improves radiation therapy contouring after PCA recurrence

Salvage radiation therapy guidelines for patients with prostate cancer recurrence need to be updated to include findings identified on PSMA PET, according to new research shared at SNMMI’s annual conference this week. 

Siemens debuts new, cleared SPECT/CT model

Siemens Healthineers splashed an FDA-approved SPECT/CT system June 12 at the 2022 annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Nuclear Imaging in Vancouver, B.C.

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Cutting radiation exposure in half during PET/CT using virtual CT scans

“High-quality artificial intelligence-generated images preserve vital information from raw PET images without the additional radiation exposure from CT scans,” experts involved in the study explained.

NRC petitioned by patient advocacy group to require reporting of extravasation

The group is advocating for the NRC to treat significant extravasations in the same manner as any other reportable medical event. 

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Wisconsin company to begin producing medical isotopes next year

The company’s CEO, Greg Piefer, detailed the plans at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference on June 2, stating that production would be achieved via small-scale nuclear transmutation.

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One chemistry professor's role in increasing radioisotope production in the U.S.

The work of a chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is helping to blaze the trail of reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign countries for vital medical isotopes. 

Advnaces in nuclear cardiac imaging include the use of PET, quantitative coronary flow reserve and the additional CT ro SPECT and PERT scans. #ASNC

VIDEO: 2 key advances in cardiac nuclear imaging technology

Randall Thompson, MD, immediate past president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), explains two key advances in cardiac nuclear imaging.
 

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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.