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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Imaging advocacy group slams ‘extremely restrictive’ Medicare coverage determination

A Medicare Administrative Contractor is wrongly rejecting coverage of PET imaging in cases of infection/inflammation, SNMMI reported recently. 

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FDA approves new PSMA-targeted PET imaging agent for prostate cancer

Blue Earth Diagnostics said this is the first and only PSMA-targeted imaging agent developed with its proprietary radiohybrid technology.

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10 trends to watch in diagnostic imaging

“To achieve organizational objectives in an ever-evolving landscape, imaging providers must develop strategies to meet increased demand for services,” Vizient experts advised.

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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. 

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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.   

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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. 

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After reviewing years of data from its clinic, one institution discovered that issues with implant data integrity frequently put patients at risk. 

Prior to the final proposal’s release, the American College of Radiology reached out to CMS to offer its recommendations on payment rates for five out of the six the new codes.

“Before these CPT codes there was no real acknowledgment of the additional burden borne by the providers who accepted these patients."

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