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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Amyloid blood test could eliminate millions in spending on PET imaging for Alzheimer’s

At roughly $5,000 per positron emission tomography exam, experts estimate the U.S. healthcare system could save $9 million (or about $1,432 per patient) on imaging. 

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Radiologists produce imitation PET scans via routine CT imaging

“With further tuning and validation, this pipeline may potentially add value in cancer screening, staging, diagnosis and prognosis," experts wrote in Cell Reports Medicine.  
 

Radiologist using the Philips Smart Quant 3D Neuro artificial intelligence (AI) software to perform our measurements for white matter, gray matter and other parameters on brain MRI.

PHOTO GALLERY of brain imaging

This is a clinical photo gallery of neuro imaging and what conditions can be can be visualized in brain scans, and various imaging techniques used.

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After extracting $85M from imaging provider and its CEO, DOJ targets former chief financial officer

Florida resident Rick Nassenstein allegedly “played a central role” in a scheme that involved paying physicians “exorbitant” fees to refer patients for PET scans. 

FDA issues Class I recall notice for Philips nuclear imaging system

The alert pertains to its BrightView SPECT family of products, with concerns a loose screw could cause machinery to fall on a patient. 

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Biogen discontinues Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, once expected to spur surge in imaging use

Screening for the drug necessitated a PET scan, and individuals also required a baseline MRI within one year before treatment, with more to follow. 

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Hospital to decommission its nuclear medicine department due to lack of use

“We’re getting less and less referrals, and that number is dropping,” Anthony Mitarotondo, MD, director of Stony Brook Radiology, said during a recent public hearing. 

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Pharmacy firm eyes 2024 rollout of 1st targeted PET imaging agent for kidney cancer

Telix Pharmaceuticals recently submitted its license application to the FDA for the investigational positron emission tomography agent TLX250-CDx (Zircaix). 
 

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