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. 

Combining AI with cardiac imaging helps predict heart attacks, cardiovascular deaths

The findings were presented virtually during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging's 2021 Annual Meeting.

June 14, 2021
insurance

Imaging advocates offer guidance after reported spate of SPECT/CT payment denials

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging said it’s received “many complaints” from the field pertaining to various commercial payers. 

June 7, 2021
Money Eye

‘Partial victory’: Imaging advocates say Humana relenting on some PET/CT payment restrictions

The health insurer reversed its coverage denial for imaging of gastric and esophageal oncologic indications, while other restrictions remain in place. 

April 27, 2021

Nuclear medicine groups announce new registry to bolster prostate cancer imaging with SPECT

The Nobody Left Behind or NOBLE Registry aims to establish prostate-specific membrane antigen SPECT imaging as a cost-effective and widely available alternative to PSMA-PET.

April 22, 2021
Healthcare M&A, mergers and acquisitions business deal.

Medical imaging isotope producer Shine finalizes merger with fusion technology specialist

With the help of Phoenix's advanced industrial imaging capabilities, the new entity hopes to ramp up its production of molybdenum-99.

April 21, 2021
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Amid COVID-19 vaccine rollout, providers may slowly resume ventilation/perfusion lung scans

SNMMI said V/Q scans can be increasingly incorporated as a normal part of the workup of suspected pulmonary embolism.

April 5, 2021

Bracco announces new partnership with nuclear medicine specialist to expand cardiac PET access

The collaboration with CardioNavix is expected to benefit low-volume centers, community hospitals, physician practices and outpatient imaging locations.

March 29, 2021

Nuclear medicine leader calls on physicians to remain ‘vigilant’ patient-first imagers

Pressures from payers and other groups may hamper providers, but ASNC President Randall C. Thompson, MD, said patients must always come first.

March 10, 2021

Around the web

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

"I see, at least for the next decade, this being a SPECT and PET world, not one or the other," explained Tim Bateman, MD.

The FDA-approved technology developed by HeartFlow can predict a patient's long-term risk of target vessel failure as well as more invasive treatments performed inside a cath lab. 

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