Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. 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. 

RSS icon
framework for regulating healthcare artificial intelligence

US senators introduce legislation to strengthen payment for diagnostic imaging agents

The American College of Radiology, SNMMI and the Michael J. Fox Foundation, among others, voiced support for the FIND Act. 

brain money alzheimer dementia

Alzheimer’s drug could spur upward of $500M in new Medicare spending on imaging

Lecanemab requires a baseline PET scan and follow-up MRIs after infusions, spelling heavy demand for radiology services, experts wrote in JAMA. 

Radiology provider Akumin highlights ‘robust’ growth in PET/CT volumes with no signs of slowing

The Plantation, Florida, company saw volumes from the modality leap 16.1% on a same-store basis when compared to Q1 of 2022, leaders said. 

Imaging advocacy group warns of supply shortage that’s having ‘profound negative impact’ on patient care

Radiologists took to Twitter to voice their frustrations over the worsening situation, while the manufacturer issued an update Thursday.   

Thumbnail

Bipartisan bill aims to boost Medicare patients’ access to diagnostic imaging agents

The Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023 would eliminate barriers to nuclear medicine, supporters charged. 

brain money alzheimer dementia

‘Tremendous setback’: Imaging advocate blasts CMS decision on Alzheimer’s care

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance challenged Medicare's limited coverage for beta-amyloid PET, used to help identify those at risk.

GE HealthCare recalling nuclear imaging systems as FDA warns of dangerous consequences

The FDA alerted patients and providers about the issue Feb. 15, labeling it as the agency’s “most serious” type of recall. 

FDA grants passage to autonomous, biology-guided radiotherapy

A therapeutic oncology company has been cleared to market a cancer treatment that that turns a tumor’s own biology into a self-signaling target for radiation therapy.

Displaying 81 - 88 of 156

Around the web

Health Imaging
American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

Health Imaging
AI reduces CT lung cancer screening workload by nearly 80%

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.

Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.