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.

Nuclear medicine firm Shine Technologies raises $240M
Surgeon, researcher and billionaire entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, and his company NantWorks led the funding round with participation from several others.
Cardiologist says new legislation would delay flawed payment cuts, preserve access to care
The efficiency adjustment cuts introduced in the 2026 MPFS are based on assumptions many doctors believe to be false. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and other medical societies are pushing back.
Combining PET and MRI data may be key to differentiating new type of dementia
Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy, also known as LATE, was recently recognized as a type of dementia that occurs in older adults. It typically presents as memory-related cognitive decline.
Radiopharmaceutical therapy use has increased 2,000% among Medicare population
Interventional and diagnostic radiologists are leading the way in this surge, accounting for about 45% of IV RPT administrations, according to Medicare Part B claims.
Side effect of popular Alzheimer's treatment may actually be a good sign, new PET findings suggest
Amyloid-related imaging abnormality edema is a known side effect of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatments, such as Leqembi and donanemab Kisunla.

Nuclear medicine firm Shine Technologies raises $240M

Surgeon, researcher and billionaire entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, and his company NantWorks led the funding round with participation from several others.

Friederike Keating, MD, director, nuclear cardiology, at University of Vermont Health, and chair of American Society of nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) Health Policy Committee, explains the support behind House Bill 7520 that aims to halt the Medicare's 2.5% efficiency adjustment cut to physician payments that was included in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Cardiologist says new legislation would delay flawed payment cuts, preserve access to care

The efficiency adjustment cuts introduced in the 2026 MPFS are based on assumptions many doctors believe to be false. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and other medical societies are pushing back.

Combining PET and MRI data helps distinguish between LATE and Alzheimer's

Combining PET and MRI data may be key to differentiating new type of dementia

Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy, also known as LATE, was recently recognized as a type of dementia that occurs in older adults. It typically presents as memory-related cognitive decline.

Radiopharmaceutical therapy use has increased 2,000% among Medicare population

Interventional and diagnostic radiologists are leading the way in this surge, accounting for about 45% of IV RPT administrations, according to Medicare Part B claims.

Side effect of popular Alzheimer's treatment may actually be a good sign, new PET findings suggest

Amyloid-related imaging abnormality edema is a known side effect of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatments, such as Leqembi and donanemab Kisunla.

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.

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.

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.