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.

Opioid overdose medications may be more effective in women, according to new PET imaging study
Experts involved in a new analysis suggest their findings could help bring about more effective treatments for opioid use disorders.
PET imaging findings support use of intranasal drug delivery for Alzheimer's patients
The discovery is giving researchers vital new information that can be used to develop precision treatments for neurological conditions.
PET/MR findings in long COVID patients linked to long-term cardiopulmonary diseases
Experts suggest abnormal findings on cardiopulmonary PET/MR should be considered a risk factor for long-term complications in COVID patients.
Lantheus set to close $750M acquisition of PET agent developer Life Molecular Imaging
LMI is the maker of Neuraceq, a globally approved F-18 positron emission tomography imaging agent used to detect beta-amyloid plaques in patients evaluated for Alzheimer’s.
Rural patients less likely to undergo PET imaging for prostate cancer
Experts suggest possible remedies to this disparity, including mobile PET units or establishing hub-and-spoke care models.

Opioid overdose medications may be more effective in women, according to new PET imaging study

Experts involved in a new analysis suggest their findings could help bring about more effective treatments for opioid use disorders.

PET imaging findings support use of intranasal drug delivery for Alzheimer's patients

The discovery is giving researchers vital new information that can be used to develop precision treatments for neurological conditions.

PET/MR findings in long COVID patients linked to long-term cardiopulmonary diseases

Experts suggest abnormal findings on cardiopulmonary PET/MR should be considered a risk factor for long-term complications in COVID patients.

Lantheus set to close $750M acquisition of PET agent developer Life Molecular Imaging

LMI is the maker of Neuraceq, a globally approved F-18 positron emission tomography imaging agent used to detect beta-amyloid plaques in patients evaluated for Alzheimer’s.

Rural patients less likely to undergo PET imaging for prostate cancer

Experts suggest possible remedies to this disparity, including mobile PET units or establishing hub-and-spoke care models.

doctor comparing the costs of different medical treatments

Post-ablation PET imaging may not be cost-effective in patients with liver metastases

Although most radiology organizations agree that [18F]FDG PET/CT can provide valuable information in these patients post-treatment, their recommendations differ on its use.

Mayo Clinic develops AI capable of substantially improving dementia diagnoses

With the software's help, readers are up to three times more accurate and interpretations are nearly twice as fast.

FDA approves expanded use of PET imaging agent

The product's updated indications include quantification and long-term monitoring of amyloid plaques on imaging.