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. 

Novel imaging method limits radiation dosage from PET, SPECT scans

A team of Japan-based researchers have created a medical camera capable of detecting and imaging radiotracers used in both PET and SPECT scans with limited radiation dosage.

July 29, 2019
Price transparency study in radiology

ANSTO to raise prices on its medical isotopes

An Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) spokesman told the Australian the increase will be anywhere from 3-9%.

July 26, 2019

Department of Energy awards cooperative agreements to 3 US companies for Mo-99 production

The Department of Energy (DOE)’s National Nuclear Security Administration has awarded cooperative agreements for the production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) to three U.S. companies, including NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes.

July 23, 2019

SNMMI, MITA host briefing to discuss expanding access to radiopharmaceuticals

Industry leaders, including the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), hosted a Capitol Hill Briefing July 17, to discuss a bipartisan bill that would expand patient access to diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

July 17, 2019

NorthStar wraps up construction of new Mo-99 facility

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes has finished construction of its new molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) processing facility in Beloit, Wisconsin, the company announced on July 16.

July 16, 2019

PET tracer can help ID early signs of MS progression

A novel PET radiotracer can help identify changes in the brain’s grey matter that may be indicative of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a pilot study published in the July issue of Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation.

July 10, 2019

Interim PET scan during prostate cancer therapy tailors treatment

Adding a scan during a patient’s prostate cancer therapy can help personalize treatment, according to research presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)’s 2019 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

June 25, 2019

SNMMI introduces new leadership at annual meeting

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) introduced a host of new officers, including new president Vasken Dilsizian, MD, during its annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

June 25, 2019

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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