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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American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) 2024 President Lawrence Phillips, MD, FASNC, director of nuclear cardiology and medical director for outpatient cardiology at NYU Langone Health, explains ASNC’s advocacy efforts for Medicare payments and reform.

ASNC president advocates for Medicare reimbursement reform

Lawrence Phillips, MD, president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, said that U.S. physicians are growing more and more frustrated by Medicare policies.

February 9, 2024

Supply crunch forces ED to develop contrast use mitigation protocol for PE

The protocol led to a reduction in CT scans without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy.

February 7, 2024
Video interview with ASNC President Lawrence Phillips, MD, NYU, who is encouraging the modernization of nuclear cardiology labs and expansion into new diagnostic areas.

ASNC president pushes to modernize nuclear cardiology, expand the specialty's reach

ASNC President Lawrence Phillips, MD, wants to see nuclear cardiologists modernize their labs and embrace new strategies for the evaluation of amyloidosis, sarcoidosis and inflammation.

February 7, 2024

After extracting $85M from imaging provider and its CEO, DOJ targets former chief financial officer

Florida resident Rick Nassenstein allegedly “played a central role” in a scheme that involved paying physicians “exorbitant” fees to refer patients for PET scans. 

February 7, 2024
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FDA issues Class I recall notice for Philips nuclear imaging system

The alert pertains to its BrightView SPECT family of products, with concerns a loose screw could cause machinery to fall on a patient. 

February 6, 2024
brain money alzheimer dementia

Biogen discontinues Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, once expected to spur surge in imaging use

Screening for the drug necessitated a PET scan, and individuals also required a baseline MRI within one year before treatment, with more to follow. 

February 2, 2024

Manufacturers partner to develop radioisotopes used in cancer drugs, clinical trials

Eckert & Ziegler and Nucleus RadioPharma have signed an agreement to address the increasing demand for Lu-177 and Ac-225.

January 31, 2024
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ITM to supply Alpha-9 radioisotopes to develop new cancer drugs

The German manufacturer and Canadian drug developer are partnering to address the supply crunch of radioisotopes.

January 30, 2024
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