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.

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.
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.
'Powerful' new PET agent improves the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer
The agent “exhibits powerful tumor delineation” in challenging cases of determining cancer subtypes, and could potentially lead to more personalized, effective treatment strategies.

Imaging advocacy group slams ‘extremely restrictive’ Medicare coverage determination

A Medicare Administrative Contractor is wrongly rejecting coverage of PET imaging in cases of infection/inflammation, SNMMI reported recently.

FDA approves new PSMA-targeted PET imaging agent for prostate cancer

Blue Earth Diagnostics said this is the first and only PSMA-targeted imaging agent developed with its proprietary radiohybrid technology.

10 trends to watch in diagnostic imaging

“To achieve organizational objectives in an ever-evolving landscape, imaging providers must develop strategies to meet increased demand for services,” Vizient experts advised.

Two examples of PSMA-PET scans showing numerous prostate cancer metastases spread throughout the body. Many of these smaller tumors would not have been dected on previous standard-of-care imaging. Photo on left courtesy of SNMMI, right University of Chicago. #PSMAPET

PSMA-PET a more cost-effective option for patients long-term compared to standard prostate imaging

The findings support adopting F-18 DCFPyL PET/CT as the standard of care for prostate cancer staging, authors of a new Scientific Reports paper concluded.

framework for regulating healthcare artificial intelligence

US senators introduce legislation to strengthen payment for diagnostic imaging agents

The American College of Radiology, SNMMI and the Michael J. Fox Foundation, among others, voiced support for the FIND Act.

Alzheimer’s drug could spur upward of $500M in new Medicare spending on imaging

Lecanemab requires a baseline PET scan and follow-up MRIs after infusions, spelling heavy demand for radiology services, experts wrote in JAMA.

Radiology provider Akumin highlights ‘robust’ growth in PET/CT volumes with no signs of slowing

The Plantation, Florida, company saw volumes from the modality leap 16.1% on a same-store basis when compared to Q1 of 2022, leaders said.

Radioactive substances unnecessary in new method for measuring brain glucose metabolism

Rather than administering radiolabeled glucose for exams, imagers give patients a small amount of a harmless glucose solution that is said to be equivalent to a can of a carbonated drink.

Nuclear Medicine

Rural patients less likely to undergo PET imaging for prostate cancer

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

Mayo Clinic develops AI capable of substantially improving dementia diagnoses

FDA approves expanded use of PET imaging agent

'Powerful' new PET agent improves the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer