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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PET/CT-guided therapy improves survival in aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients

Authors of a recent study reported improved survival in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) whose first-line therapy was guided by PET/CT instead of CT alone.

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Researchers examine patient disparities, utilization of Fluciclovine-PET imaging

The use of [18F]Fluciclovine-PET imaging is steadily increasing in patients with suspected prostate cancer, but a new single-center study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found some have more difficulty undergoing the exam than others.

SNMMI: Mo-99 shortage may end soon

The Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) shortage is expected to subside over the coming few weeks as generators across the globe slowly begin to resume production, according to the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

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Women are underrepresented in nuclear medicine, especially in leadership positions

While the number of female medical students has risen, women specialists remain underrepresented in nuclear medicine in the U.S. and Canada—specifically in academic and leadership positions, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

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Targeted radiation may help children with chemo-resistant liver cancer

In pediatric patients with chemotherapy-resistant liver cancer, targeted tumor radiation can improve survival or help shrink the tumor to allow for surgery, according to a recent study published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer.

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AI estimates full-dose PET images from low-dose scans

Deep learning can estimate full-dose PET images from scans with significantly lower dosages, according to a new study in the Journal of Digital Imaging. The method may make performing PET scans safer and more affordable.

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Focused ultrasound method releases drugs millimeters from targeted brain areas

Using focused ultrasound, researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine in California have developed a noninvasive method that helps deliver drugs to within a few millimeters of a targeted area of the brain, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the journal Neuron.

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Missouri reactor establishes only domestic supply of I-131 radioisotope

After more than 30 years, a domestic supply of the radioisotope Iodine-131 (I-131) is now available for diagnostic imaging and thyroid cancer treatment.

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