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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FDA grants fast track status to investigational molecular imaging agent

Tokyo-based Astellas's tracer was developed to supplement surgeries and reduces the chance of iatrogenic ureteral injury during colorectal or gynecologic procedures.

Bracco gains FDA approval for new cardiac PET infusion system

This update will replace the company’s existing infusion system and includes new smart features, such as workflow improvements and dosing options.

Health startup RayzeBio nets $45M in funding to advance targeted radiopharmaceuticals in oncology

President and CEO Ken Song, MD, said the radiopharmaceutical field remains an untapped opportunity in cancer care.

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Smart glasses take the neck pain out of fluoroscopic image-guided surgery

Doctors with Murayama Medical Center in Tokyo unveiled their device, which attaches to a normal pair of glasses, in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.

Attralus completes financing to validate pan-amyloid nuclear imaging agent

Biopharmaceutical firm Attralus has completed a $25 million Series A financing designed to further validate its AT-01 pan-amyloid radiotracer for PET/CT.

Novel imaging agent helps radiologists visualize inflammation via PET scan

Physicians do not currently have a sound method of zeroing in on this concern, but Washington University researchers may have found an answer. 

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Reusable radiation-absorbing pad slashes exposure by 81% in some interventional radiology situations

Along with conventional equipment such as aprons, collars, shields and caps, reusable pads should be commonplace for these medical staffers, experts wrote recently.

6 things to consider before performing ventilation/perfusion lung scans amid COVID-19

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging recently released its updated guidance on the topic.

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