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. 

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Prem Soman, MD, PhD, FACC, FRCP, past president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), the Richard S. Caligiuri Endowed Chair in Amyloidosis and Heart Failure, director of the Cardiac Amyloidosis Center, director of nuclear cardiology, and a professor of medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Heart and Vascular Institute. He is presenting the keynote Mario Verani Memorial Lecture at ASNC 2025, where he will discuss transforming cardiac amyloidosis care.

How nuclear cardiology has transformed care for cardiac amyloidosis

Prem Soman, MD, PhD, explained how early detection and new therapies have been game-changers for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis.

Akumin

Radiology provider Akumin touts launch of its first movable PET/CT imaging centers

The Plantation, Florida, company first announced the initiative at RSNA 2024, offering clients new “relocatable and expandable” centers to be deployed across the U.S. 

Dual-mode radiotracer helps surgeons 'hear' invisible cancer lesions

Surgeons can 'hear' cancerous lesions with help of new dual-mode radiotracer

When used during surgery, it can help providers identify cancerous lesions that are not in their immediate vision. 

Greg Piefer, PhD, CEO and founder of Shine, explains the timeline to restart U.S. production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) for nuclear imaging.

Shine working toward U.S. production of Mo-99 for SPECT nuclear imaging

Greg Piefer, PhD, chief executive and founder of Shine, a Wisconsin-based radiopharmaceutical company that is building the world’s largest medical isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin, explains progress on the company's fusion reactor that will become the first sustained U.S. commercial supplier of molybdenum-99 in decades.

Molecular Imaging PET and SPECT sign in GE booth ACC23.

Shine working toward U.S. production of Mo-99 for SPECT imaging

Greg Piefer, PhD, chief executive and founder of SHINE, a Wisconsin-based radiopharmaceutical company that is building the world’s largest medical isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin, explains progress on the company's fusion reactor that will become the first U.S. commercial supplier of molybdenum-99 in decades.

PSMA PET/CT scans can identify prostate cancer patients most likely to benefit from salvage radiotherapy

A new study is the first to show that men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer who undergo PSMA PET/CT prior to salvage therapy have improved survival rates. 

Imaging groups urge Trump administration to exempt radiopharmaceuticals, medical isotopes from tariffs

Six physician professional associations recently made their case in a letter to Howard Lutnick, secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

dollar money graph increase finance

RadNet touts successful efforts to boost advanced imaging interest, with PET/CT volumes up 16%

Investments in MRI software, expanded CT offerings on both coasts, and new PET products have all helped increase advanced imaging to about 27.5% of RadNet's procedural volumes. 

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