Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. 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. 

Prominent imaging society advocates for 5 changes following CMS amyloid PET payment decision

SNMMI is fighting for expanded coverage for amyloid PET, including broadening accepted sites of service, among other changes.

February 23, 2022

Isotope shortage update: Target restart date for downed reactor has been set

The supply of Mo-99 and Lu-177 is expected to normalize in the coming weeks, according to the most recent announcement from the Nuclear Medicine Europe Emergency Response Team.

February 16, 2022
prostate cancer PET/CT

Is PET/CT or multiparametric MRI best for detecting prostate cancer? New research offers guidance

A comparison of the detection rates for 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI in low, intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer was recently shared by experts in EJNMMI.

February 14, 2022
thermometer

F-18 FDG PET/CT highly sensitive for diagnosing cause of fevers with unknown origin

Such scans determined the final diagnosis in 54% of patients and were more accurate than CRP and WBC levels for identifying fever origin, according to research published in Scientific Reports.

February 10, 2022
University of Missouri Research Reactor

University's research reactor increases medical isotope production in wake of supply disruption

“Our dedicated staff are committed to getting lifesaving treatments delivered to the patients who need them,” MURR's executive director said in a statement on Feb. 9.

February 9, 2022

Isotope update: Target date for resuming production of Mo-99 still unclear

Production of Lu-177 is expected to resume on Saturday, Feb. 12, but the Mo-99 supply shortage could continue for weeks.

February 8, 2022

Medical isotope update: Shortage expected to last weeks as nuclear reactor remains sidelined

Mo-99, Lu-177, and I-131 supply issues are forecasted until approximately one week after the downed reactor resumes operations on Feb. 12, the Nuclear Medicine Europe Emergency Response Team said.

February 3, 2022

Nuclear reactor in Poland steps up to address Mo-99 shortage

The Maria reactor in Poland began producing the isotope hours after a water leak shut down the high flux reactor in Petter, the Netherlands.

February 1, 2022

Around the web

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

"I see, at least for the next decade, this being a SPECT and PET world, not one or the other," explained Tim Bateman, MD.

The FDA-approved technology developed by HeartFlow can predict a patient's long-term risk of target vessel failure as well as more invasive treatments performed inside a cath lab. 

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