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. 

Alex Ding, MD, radiologist and incoming AMA Board trustee, explains the new AMA policy that calls on Ciongress to change the requirements of the CMS requirement for appropriate use criteria clinical decision support software for all advanced imaging exams, including CT and MRI. #AMA #AMAmtg #AMA175 #AUC

VIDEO: AMA will ask Congress to change mandate on appropriate use criteria clinical decision support

Alexander Ding, MD, a radiologist and incoming American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees member, explains the new AMA policy calling on Congress to change the language and implementation of the current Medicare mandate that all advanced medical imaging needs certification.

Siemens debuts new, cleared SPECT/CT model

Siemens Healthineers splashed an FDA-approved SPECT/CT system June 12 at the 2022 annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Nuclear Imaging in Vancouver, B.C.

PET/CT contrast debate: ‘Time to unleash the full power’ vs. ‘More is not always better’

Hybrid PET/CT enhanced with intravenous CT contrast deserves wider acceptance and adoption, as diagnostically optimized CT can complement PET—and vice versa—for a variety of potential indications. That’s one opinion on the matter.

Advnaces in nuclear cardiac imaging include the use of PET, quantitative coronary flow reserve and the additional CT ro SPECT and PERT scans. #ASNC

VIDEO: 2 key advances in cardiac nuclear imaging technology

Randall Thompson, MD, immediate past president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), explains two key advances in cardiac nuclear imaging.
 

New imaging biomarkers emerge for Alzheimer’s and its impairments

Brain MRI of the choroid plexus, the main supplier of cerebrospinal fluid, can deliver independent biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease without an assist from clinical tests for amyloid abnormality or neurodegeneration. 

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3 indications auguring well for the future of pediatric PET/MRI

In pediatric care settings, hybrid PET/MR imaging combines “exquisite soft-tissue information obtained by MR imaging with functional information provided by PET.”

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FDA clears spinal-tap test that could challenge PET in Alzheimer’s diagnostics

The FDA has approved a lab test for evaluating cognitively impaired adults who may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) is asking Congress to repeal the appropriate use software provision mandate, which physicians say is an obstacle to efficient care.

VIDEO: Imaging societies ask Congress to repeal appropriate use decision support mandate

Randall Thompson, MD, immediate past president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), explains the current ASNC lobbying efforts.

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

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