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.

Experts update AUC for amyloid, tau PET imaging for first time in more than a decade
The new appropriate use criteria define 17 specific clinical scenarios, guiding providers on situations when amyloid or tau imaging are and are not appropriate.
Policy reforms in Washington that will impact nuclear imaging
SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, explains some of the key policy initiatives the society is pursuing to help support the field of nuclear medicine.
U.S. moves closer to establishing domestic supply of Mo-99 for nuclear imaging
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging President, Cathy Cutler, explains the long road to jump-starting a new U.S. domestic supply of imaging isotopes.
Repurposed radiotracer lights up treatment-resistant tumors 'like a Christmas tree'
Use of the new tracer could improve outcomes by enabling providers to adjust treatment regimens much earlier than they have been able to previously.
Siemens Healthineers finalizes $223M purchase of Novartis’ imaging unit
The Erlangen, Germany-based manufacturer believes the addition will complement its network of 47 PET radiopharmacies concentrated in the U.S., adding over a dozen new sites.

New radiation-dose estimation process moves nuclear medicine closer to customized cancer therapy

Researchers used a single SPECT/CT scan performed post-therapy to estimate how much radiation a patient’s tumor and at-risk organs will absorb.

August 11, 2020

Top imaging groups warn delayed screenings could cause ‘second healthcare crisis’

The ACR—along with seven other radiology organizations—said thousands could die due to delayed diagnoses caused by the pandemic and urged governors to take action.

July 22, 2020

SNMMI taps new nuclear medicine experts to lead its technologist section

The society announced a new president and president-elect to lead its member technologists during its virtual meeting.

July 14, 2020

SNMMI 2020: Imaging highlights connection between heart and kidneys in heart attack response

Researchers monitored how the heart and kidneys responded one day, three days, seven days and six weeks following an induced myocardial infarction.

July 13, 2020

SNMMI elects new president, other leadership positions during annual meeting

The organization also announced its incoming president-elect and vice president-elect.

July 13, 2020

ASNC monitoring potential Mo-99 supply shortages due to COVID-19

The president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology said there are no shortfalls reported at this time, but the organization is keeping an eye on the situation as more countries implement travel bans.

March 16, 2020

ASNC releases multisocietal amyloidosis imaging guidelines

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, together with eight other nuclear medicine and cardiology societies, have published a consensus document outlining the best practices for imaging and diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis.

September 16, 2019

ASNC publishes new amyloidosis imaging guidelines

“We anticipate that these expert multisocietal consensus recommendations on multimodality imaging in cardiac amyloidosis will standardize the diagnosis and improve the management of this highly morbid and underdiagnosed disease," wrote authors of the new guidelines published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology.

September 9, 2019

Nuclear Medicine

Experts update AUC for amyloid, tau PET imaging for first time in more than a decade

Policy reforms in Washington that will impact nuclear imaging

U.S. moves closer to establishing domestic supply of Mo-99 for nuclear imaging

Repurposed radiotracer lights up treatment-resistant tumors 'like a Christmas tree'

Siemens Healthineers finalizes $223M purchase of Novartis’ imaging unit