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. 

RSS icon

Bipartisan bill aims to boost Medicare patients’ access to diagnostic imaging agents

The Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023 would eliminate barriers to nuclear medicine, supporters charged. 

March 2, 2023
brain money alzheimer dementia

‘Tremendous setback’: Imaging advocate blasts CMS decision on Alzheimer’s care

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance challenged Medicare's limited coverage for beta-amyloid PET, used to help identify those at risk.

March 1, 2023

New practice guidelines for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors

Issued by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the new guidelines are intended to inform any practitioners involved in ordering, performing, reading and reporting SSTR PET imaging.

February 22, 2023
Recall

GE HealthCare recalling nuclear imaging systems as FDA warns of dangerous consequences

The FDA alerted patients and providers about the issue Feb. 15, labeling it as the agency’s “most serious” type of recall. 

February 15, 2023

Amyloid plaque patterns on PET imaging predict Alzheimer's progression in asymptomatic patients

Experts involved in the new research suggest that identifying these spatiotemporal variations could play an important role in clinical research and precision medicine. 

February 8, 2023

FDA grants passage to autonomous, biology-guided radiotherapy

A therapeutic oncology company has been cleared to market a cancer treatment that that turns a tumor’s own biology into a self-signaling target for radiation therapy.

February 3, 2023

E-cigarettes cause worse inflammation than tobacco cigarettes, new PET data shows

The use of e-cigarettes has increased significantly in recent years, mostly due to the fact that many consumers believe them to be a safer option than traditional cigarettes.

January 25, 2023
new radiotracer studies inflammation

New radiotracer could change how radiologists understand inflammation

Labeled as LW223, the fluorinated PET radiotracer is the first of its kind to be impervious to rs6971 polymorphism—a genetic mutation that inhibits the diagnostic view of inflammation imaging.

January 24, 2023
Displaying 89 - 96 of 259
Design by Adaptive Theme