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. 

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New imaging technique could provide cheaper alternative to costly PET scanners

Resource-challenged providers in rural areas and elsewhere may not always have access to this technology, given the hefty price tag, experts wrote Monday. 

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Imaging industry advocate slams feds’ failure to address PET coverage gap in recent ruling

The Society for Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging expressed "strong opposition" following CMS' decision, arguing there is no evidence to support limiting pay for such scans. 

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CMS finalizes decision to limit coverage for controversial Alzheimer’s drug, related imaging

The agency has maintained the same pay restrictions in its final policy, only covering PET scans if required by a clinical trial protocol. 

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FDA approves new therapy, complementary imaging agent for treating metastatic prostate cancer

Provider advocates praised the decision, calling it “one of the greatest success stories in nuclear medicine history.”

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Metastatic prostate cancer cases surge following USPSTF-recommended slowdown in screenings

New PET imaging techniques with higher sensitivity may have also contributed to these trends, USC experts wrote in JAMA Open Network. 

American College of Radiology joins other medical societies in speaking out over Ukraine crisis

“The ACR and its members stand ready to assist and support our radiologic colleagues and other medical providers in Ukraine," the group said March 4. 

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From the Great Resignation to PET/CT, 9 trends driving diagnostic imaging in 2022

“These trends represent the business, market, and technology dynamics that imaging leaders cannot afford to ignore,” Alliance Healthcare Services reported recently. 

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Cleveland Clinic names PSMA PET a top 10 medical innovation to watch in 2022

Each year, the Ohio hospital system picks the biggest breakthroughs that will reshape healthcare in the months ahead. 

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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.