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. 

CMS cites 'newly published evidence' in postponement of PET coverage decision

Prior to the Dec. 15 announcement, CMS had released a different statement in June informing the public that they were reconsidering the amount of PET scans that Alzheimer’s patients undergoing monoclonal antibody treatment can receive.

December 19, 2022
A CT coronary calcium scoring exam at Northwestern Medicine's Central DuPage Hospital in the Chicago Suburbs. Dave Fornell

Trends in the number of radiology studies and a decline in radiation dose

A special report in Radiology offers a rare overview of the number of radiology exams performed each year worldwide and focuses on the decline of associated radiation doses patients receive.

December 19, 2022
The GE Starguide SPECT-CT system on display at RSNA 2022.

SPECT technique might measure absorbed tissue dose from radiation therapy

Washington University is using a novel low-count quantitative SPECT technique to measure the concentration of alpha particle radiopharmaceutical therapy activity in the tumor and in radio-sensitive organs.
 

December 16, 2022

New radiotracer IDs numerous cancers likely to respond to targeted therapy

The radiotracer, 68Ga-PentixaFor, can be used for detecting C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), which plays a significant role in cancer progression.

December 8, 2022
An example of a positive amyloid plaque PET nuclear brain scan. these tests can help identify Alzheimer's patients earlier so they can be prescribed drugs to treat the condition.

Cognitive decline not far behind amyloid and tau PET-positive scans, even for the asymptomatic

Common markers of Alzheimer's disease visualized on PET scans of asymptomatic patients might foreshadow the onset of symptoms in the years following their initial discovery.

December 7, 2022
3d-printing.jpg

How a newly secured 3D printing patent could stabilize radioisotope production

Recently, a patent for 3D printed uranium targets was secured by the National Center for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Swierk, Poland, and it could increase the production of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) globally. 

December 6, 2022
stomach ache

FDG PET/CT spots COVID-induced pancreatitis

There are limited data to determine whether pancreatitis in COVID patients is the result of a stress response triggered by severe illness or by direct damage to the β-cell structure and function.

November 22, 2022

Researcher in hot water after manipulating PET imaging data for grant application

The researcher was seeking funding to further her study on the development of psychosis based on findings visualized on PET imaging.

November 16, 2022

Around the web

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans. 

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday. 

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound. 

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