Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. 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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Pint-size Power: PET/CT and SPECT/CT in Pediatrics

PET/CTa technology whose potential is now being appreciated, but has yet to be fully realizedhas proven successful in the accurate staging and monitoring of oncology patient therapy for a variety of cancers. SPECT/CT, while relatively new, is beginning to make its mark in areas such as oncology, cardiology, neurology imaging. 

Diagnosing Heart Disease

Diagnosing heart disease in women—the No. 1 cause of death of womenacross the globe—is sometimes difficult, but molecular PET and SPECTimaging is beginning to contribute to resolving this problem.

The Ammonia Option: PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

13N-ammonia, an established imaging probe for measuringmyocardial perfusion, has now been made available for use in thecommunity. This has thus far been difficult because of the shorthalf-life of 13N-ammonia of about 10 minutes. But even that time factor has been worked out.

Molecular Imaging Training Gaining Traction

As molecular imaging emerges from the cocoon of nuclear medicine, fueled by changes that have made it a vital technique for diagnosing disease and predicting and monitoring treatment response, training for physicians and technologists has made its way to the forefront for many education programs around the United States.

64-slice Cardiac PET/CT: Slice Count Does Matter

Higher quality images and shorter acquisition times than stand-alone PET systems are among the benefits of adding 64-slice CT.

MR/PET: New Insights into Hybrid Imaging

Over the last decade, hybrid imaging has become a standard of care in radiology, cardiology, nuclear medicine and oncology. Integrated scanning systems offer a number of advantages for physicians and patients.

Expert Panel Defines State of the Art and Future of Molecular Imaging

 A panel of seven clinical experts and public policy leaders offer insight on personalized medicine, technology, biomarkers and the DRA.

Defining Success

PET/CT has come a long way since Time magazine awarded the scanner one of its Medical Inventions of the Year award in December 2000. Published literature since 1996 has established strong evidence for the advantages of PET/CT over PET and CT alone for characterizing lesions as malignant or benign, and for staging, restaging and therapy monitoring of cancer. In addition, emerging applications include imaging of cardiovascular diseases and infection.

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