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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Nuclear reactor in Poland steps up to address Mo-99 shortage

The Maria reactor in Poland began producing the isotope hours after a water leak shut down the high flux reactor in Petter, the Netherlands.

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Medical isotope shortage looms as 'unplanned' outage halts Mo-99, Lu-177 production

The root cause of the problem has not yet been discovered, halting isotope production for an undisclosed amount of time, according to SNMMI.

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PSMA-PET validates commonly used system measuring risk of prostate cancer recurrence

"The accuracy of PSMA-PET is essential to improve stratification and potentially outcomes both in low-risk and high-risk settings,” a doctor involved in the study explained in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

SNMMI images of unusual imaging pattern observed on FDG PET/CT or FDG PET/MR that may be due to Omicron COVID-19 infection. Unlike the FDG PET/CT pattern seen with infections from previous strains of COVID-19, with principal involvement of the lungs, this new array of findings is primarily centered in the upper aerodigestive tract and cervical lymph nodes. What does omnicron COVID look like in medical imaging?

Unusual pattern on PET/CT may indicate COVID omicron variant

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging offered up a handful of tips to help providers who encounter such findings.

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Machine learning combined with PET/CT can predict heart attack risk

“We showed that risk prediction does not depend on cardiovascular risk scores, stenosis severity or CT calcium scoring," researchers said in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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RSNA partners with RadSite on FDG-PET/CT biomarker pilot program

The effort is focused on outpatient imaging centers and should bring more consistency to cancer treatment and therapy.

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Nuclear medicine leader says patient-first imaging providers must keep close eye on quality

That includes utilizing the most up-to-date protocols and equipment, among many other things, ASNC President Randall C. Thompson said.

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Physicians support use of PET/CT scans in pregnant women with cancer, survey finds

Researchers say scans pose little risk to an unborn fetus but maintained doctors must weigh the benefits against potential risks.

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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.