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.

Radiopharmaceutical firm Telix investing up to $171M to acquire portfolio of imaging agents
The Australian company will secure exclusive worldwide rights to a suite of diagnostic and therapeutic candidates geared toward urological cancers.
Lantheus expects sales of ‘blockbuster’ cancer imaging agent to surpass $1B in 2024
Pylarify is a PSMA-targeted PET agent for pinpointing suspected metastasis or recurrence of prostate cancer, which will be impacted by a new Medicare policy change.
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over
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.
Bracco Imaging radiopharmaceutical firm Blue Earth Therapeutics raises nearly $77M
Leaders said the funding will help Blue Earth to further advance its development of PSMA-targeted therapies for prostate cancer.
GE HealthCare moves PET/CT scanner production to United States
The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

SNMMI names recipient of annual government relations fellowship

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) announced that Courtney Lawhn-Heath, MD, has been awarded the 2019 Robert E. Henkin Government Relations Fellowship.

April 24, 2019

ACR, SNMMI collaborate on new clinical data registry

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) have joined forces to launch a new nuclear medicine clinical data registry.

April 10, 2019

SNMMI, ACNM oppose changes to amount of training required to administer radiopharmaceuticals

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM) submitted a joint statement to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) opposing potential changes in the NRC’s training and experience requirements for authorized users to administer radiopharmaceuticals.

January 31, 2019

SNMMI, SNMMI-TS announce 2019 leadership academy graduates

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) announced the graduates of its fourth annual Future Leaders Academy at the group's Mid-Winter Meeting in Palm Springs, California.

January 22, 2019

SNMMI, ACNM share comments on 2019 HOPPS proposed rule with CMS

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM) have submitted a letter to CMS in response to the 2019 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rule, sharing both recommendations and concerns with the agency.

October 3, 2018

SNMMI, ASNC encourage BCBS to expand coverage of cardiac PET

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) submitted a letter to BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Tennessee urging an expansion of cardiac PET coverage.

September 17, 2018

SNMMI supports changes in 2019 MPFS proposed rule

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has crafted a letter to CMS in support of some of the specific points included in the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule.

September 11, 2018

ACR, SNMMI among groups that support CMS proposal to reduce E&M paperwork requirements

The American Medical Association, American College of Radiology (ACR), Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), Society of Interventional Radiology and dozens of other healthcare groups have signed a letter to CMS in support of the agency’s “Patients Over Paperwork” initiative and calling for a reduction in paperwork requirements for evaluation and management (E&M) services.

August 28, 2018

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

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.

Cardiovascular Business

‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

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.

Cardiovascular Business

GE HealthCare moves PET/CT scanner production to United States

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