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. 

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chest pain lung pulmonary embolism

CCTA is a safe, effective alternative to SPECT in patients with stable chest pain

The findings come by way of the RESCUE Trial, which included more than 1,000 participants from 44 different sites.

December 8, 2020

Lantheus agrees to sell offshore radiopharmacy and PET facility to PharmaLogic in $18M cash deal

The stock purchase deal also includes a long-term supply agreement, which is subject to customary closing conditions and expected to wrap-up in the first quarter of next year.

December 7, 2020
approved approval

‘Game changer’: FDA approves first PSMA-targeted PET imaging tracer for men with prostate cancer

Both the University of California, San Francisco, and UCLA received the greenlight for Gallium-68 PSMA-11 and noted it is rare for academic institutions to obtain such approval.

December 1, 2020
Humana

Imaging experts slam Humana for ‘ill-informed and wrong’ decision to deny coverage for PET/CT exams

The pair said that without hearing a solid argument, they will be "relentless" in opposing the insurance giant's coverage determination. 

November 18, 2020
insurance payer payment insurer

Top nuclear imaging group ‘strongly disagrees’ with Humana’s decision to refuse coverage for PET/CT

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging said the move denies patients access to potentially lifesaving technologies.

November 12, 2020
Brain

FDA expert panel votes against Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug, dashing latest hopes for treatment

Alzheimer's Association President and CEO Harry Johns said the vote was disappointing, claiming publicly released data on aducanumab justified its federal approval.

November 9, 2020
Arrow

FDA grants fast track status to investigational molecular imaging agent

Tokyo-based Astellas's tracer was developed to supplement surgeries and reduces the chance of iatrogenic ureteral injury during colorectal or gynecologic procedures.

October 28, 2020
approved approval

Bracco gains FDA approval for new cardiac PET infusion system

This update will replace the company’s existing infusion system and includes new smart features, such as workflow improvements and dosing options.

October 19, 2020
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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.

Cardiovascular Business
AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans. 

Radiology Business
Google teams with Bayer to address radiologist burnout via AI

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday. 

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