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. 

FDG shows immuno cell polarization in atherosclerotic inflammation

In an attempt to tease out the best possible technique for imaging the inflammation associated with atherosclerotic plaques, researchers peered into the cellular tangle and tested both FDG and MR imaging with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (USPIO) to find out what kind of relationships were happening at the molecular level. Researchers found a complex interplay of macrophage heterogeneity and subtle genetic up and downregulation that hint at the pathology of atherosclerosis, according to a study published May 13 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Misalignment in abdominal organ images cut with simultaneous MR/PET

Simultaneous MR/PET acquisition provides more accurate alignment of hybrid datasets than retrospective fusion of MR images and PET data, according to a study published online May 8 in Radiology.

'Click and Grow' algorithm takes radiologist out of tumor segmentation

A tumor segmentation software dubbed single-click ensemble segmentation (SCES) is advancing the definition and delineation of a wide range of cancerous lesions past manual labor and into the realm of high-tech automation. 

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Zr-89 bevacizumab could be a player in PET detection of breast cancer

Breast cancer tumors often express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and a method of detection involving PET and the monoclonal antibody tracer Zr-89 bevacizumab is showing promise for the assessment of early to late stage primary malignancy, according to a study published May 7 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

In a heartbeat: Cardiac FDG PET/MR effective, beneficial for ischemia

Simultaneous PET/MR broke additional ground toward clinical use by showing technical success and potential clinical merit for FDG PET/MR detection of ischemic heart disease, according to a study published May 7 in Radiology.

V/Q SPECT protocol provides best practice for pulmonary embolism

A multi-step study has determined that SPECT is a superior method of ventilator-perfusion (V/Q) imaging for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) and also has indicated an optimal imaging protocol for its application, according to the second phase of the study published May 1 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Redefining Parkinson’s research: Study takes stock of challenges, suggests new criteria

The current climate of Parkinson’s research is much like it was for Alzheimer’s disease before there was a clear way forward toward pathological detection. Complex clinical features, genetics and molecular drivers of the disease in all its various forms make it exceedingly difficult to standardize research and therefore screening and diagnosis, but a new framework for research is being presented, according to a perspective piece published online April 11 by The Lancet.

Phase III Alzheimer’s treatment study misses the mark

Baxter announced results of its Phase III clinical study of immunoglobulin (IG). In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, IG did not meet its co-primary endpoints of reducing cognitive decline and preserving functional abilities in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease after 18 months of treatment. Given the findings, Baxter said it will re-evaluate its approach for its Alzheimer’s program.