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. 

COVID-19 medical imaging examples of various clinical presentations. SARS-CoV-2 clinical imaging presentations.

PHOTO GALLERY: What does acute COVID-19 and long COVID look like on medical imaging?

This image gallery shows what the various clinical presentations associated with the COVID-19 and long COVID that have been documented during and after coronavirus pandemic.

prostate PSMA

Drugmaker expands manufacturing of popular prostate PET imaging agent

The move will make the Huntsman Cancer Institute the first academic medical center in the U.S. to produce Posluma, according to Blue Earth Diagnostics. 

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University launches clinical trial for groundbreaking nuclear medicine cancer treatment

The University of Missouri Research Reactor will play a key role in the trial, as it is the only domestic producer of Y-90.

FDA clears Siemens Healthineers' Biograph One PET/MR system

FDA clears new PET/MRI combo system from Siemens Healthineers

The Biograph One is the company's second-generation PET/MRI combo scanner—its first in 14 years.

Imagers reviewing flurpiridaz F-18 (Flyrcado) myocardial perfusion PET images. Image from GE Healthcare

ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD

Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.

SNMMI Image of the Year 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT heart attack acute myocardial infarction

FAPI PET shows promise to make a big impact in cardiovascular imaging

More and more imaging researchers are starting to examine the potential of using fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) to manage patients with suspected cardiovascular disease.

Software glitch prompts FDA recall of popular PET systems

The recall was issued due to the potential for the systems to produce artifacts during PET exams.

Novel theranostic shows promise for treating gastric and pancreatic cancer

New theranostic could potentially cure difficult-to-treat gastric and pancreatic cancers

Researchers believe new research findings relating to the PET technique signal its potential “to meaningfully change patient care.”