Medical Imaging

Physicians utilize medical imaging to see inside the body to diagnose and treat patients. This includes computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, angiography, and the nuclear imaging modalities of PET and SPECT.

Bayer expands into molecular imaging with cardiac amyloidosis tracer acquisitions
Bayer is acquiring two cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers from Attralus, one for PET and one for SPECT. The SPECT tracer is also a theranostic agent to both image and treat amyloidosis.
Imaging providers must act to preserve higher CT pay, American College of Radiology warns
CMS previously announced it was temporarily reassigning payment codes for coronary CT angiography, resulting in a 104% higher technical fee.
Bayer expands into molecular imaging with 2 acquisitions
The company has reached a deal to purchase two investigational imaging agents from Attralus Inc., a Naples, Florida-based biopharmaceutical firm.
MRI technique reduces low-value surgeries for patients with colorectal cancer
Though effective, surgery for colorectal peritoneal metastases is accompanied by a high risk of major morbidity, making the decision to undergo the procedure complex for many patients.
TAVR, other interventional procedures may provide value for patients with carcinoid heart disease
These patients are typically treated with surgery, but those procedures carry their own risks that clinicians would prefer to avoid.

Mevion Medical Systems introduces Hyperscan for the Mevion S250 platform

Hyperscan is debuting at the 56th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), held September 14 – 16 in San Francisco.  Mevion representatives will formally introduce Hyperscan at booth 728 in the exhibit hall.

Agendia test for molecular subtyping of breast cancer is a better guide to pre-surgical treatment

In findings that could eventually change the way breast cancer is treated, a study reports that the BluePrint genomic test provides more accurate information about the molecular subtype of breast cancer than does conventional IHC-FISH pathology testing.

Eli Lilly funds lawsuit against CMS for limiting amyloid imaging

Makers of F-18 florbetapir (Amyvid) are bankrolling a lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which hampered coverage of amyloid imaging earlier this year as a means for ruling out Alzheimer’s disease. The lawsuit was filed in federal court by Lilly and others Sept. 5, according to this Wall Street Journal report.

Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT finds more NETs

A comparison study of three different methods of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) detection that includes PET/CT, SPECT/CT and whole body MR imaging places PET/CT with gallium-68 (Ga-68) DOTATATE on a pedestal above the rest for its sensitivity in finding NETs, according to a study published Aug. 28 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Stem Cells reveal neurochemical flood in schizophrenics

Schizophrenia may be tripped off by an overabundance of chemical signals pumped out by neurons in the brain. The University of California, San Diego, announced Sept. 11 that researchers from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are using stem cells to see the flood of neurotransmitters first-hand.

IBA and Philips to collaborate on cancer research and technology

Ion Beam Applications (IBA) announced today that the company will be teaming up with Philips Healthcare to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic research and technology, including proton therapy systems.

AAA acquires GE's FDG-PET sector in Italy

Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) announced today that it has acquired GE Healthcare’s FDG-PET radiopharmaceutical division in Italy.

NOPR: All NaF agreements must be updated

The American College of Radiology and the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance are prompting all participants of the bone-imaging portion of the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) to sign new agreements by Sept. 22.

Medical Imaging

Bayer expands into molecular imaging with cardiac amyloidosis tracer acquisitions

Imaging providers must act to preserve higher CT pay, American College of Radiology warns

Bayer expands into molecular imaging with 2 acquisitions

MRI technique reduces low-value surgeries for patients with colorectal cancer

TAVR, other interventional procedures may provide value for patients with carcinoid heart disease