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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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.

ASNC asks Congress to officially repeal the AUC mandate for advanced medical imaging

Medicare rescinded the provision in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, but the law remains on the books. 

How the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule could impact nuclear cardiology

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology explored some key points included in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.

stroke brain dementia alzheimer's puzzle mental health

Lantheus acquires developer of next-generation PET imaging agent for Alzheimer’s

Meilleur Technologies’ portfolio includes the worldwide exclusive rights to NAV-4694, also known as F18-flutafuranol, which is in phase 3 trials. 

Medicare money payment physician

CMS proposes issuing separate payment for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals in 2025

For years, the agency has packaged payment for nuclear imaging agents with the procedure, but this has created a barrier for those who require pricier new drugs. 

Marsha Blackburn

Bipartisan senators urge CMS to bolster access to nuclear imaging in outpatient settings

Lawmakers led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., made their plea in a June letter to the head of the agency. 

brain money alzheimer dementia

Implications for radiology following the FDA’s approval of new Alzheimer’s treatment from Eli Lilly

Providers are required to obtain a recent baseline brain MRI prior to initiating treatment and individuals also must undergo scans prior to the second, third, fourth and seventh infusions. 
 

lantheus acquires rights from life molecular imaging

Lantheus lands rights to budding radiopharmaceuticals for initial outlay of $35M

One of the largest radiopharma companies in the world is acquiring global rights to a pair of novel therapeutic and diagnostic drugs used to target a peptide receptor overexpressed in prostate and breast cancers.

Telix Pharmaceuticals

PET imaging-agent developer Telix seeks to raise $200M through initial public offering

The Australian radiopharma firm's financial maneuver comes amid its roll out of the first targeted positron emission tomography agent for kidney cancer. 

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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.