Dear Molecular Imaging Insider,
The power of PET as a tool to predict future clinical outcomes in patients -- even mortality -- is on display in this edition of the Molecular Imaging Insider. Researchers from Texas put PET to the test in a study that's the focus of our Insider Exclusive.
A group from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston used PET to calculate cardiac blood flow capacity as a means to measure cardiac flow reserve. The investigators found that patients with reduced flow capacity had higher mortality rates compared with those who didn't. As a Molecular Imaging Insider, you can read our coverage before the rest of the AuntMinnie.com membership.
PET has also been showing its prowess recently as a tool for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. But so are a new generation of blood tests. A group from Sweden compared PET with a blood test that detected a biomarker for abnormal tau metabolism in the brain. The team found the assay worked even better than PET for early detection.
On the other hand, Japanese researchers discussed how they used a novel PET radiotracer that could have advantages over other radiopharmaceuticals for detecting tau pathology.
Meanwhile, German researchers investigated the utility of a PET radiotracer based on gallium-68 that was attached to a fibroblast activation protein molecule inhibitor. They found it achieved greater accuracy for use in staging patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Other important Molecular Imaging stories include the following:
- Nuclear medicine groups are lining up to oppose a recent decision by Humana on PET/CT reimbursement.
- Coding and reimbursement of yttrium-90 radioembolization procedures may sound complicated, but it doesn't have to be, according to an article from Healthcare Administrative Partners.
- Researchers from Alabama used PET/MRI with the F-18 fluciclovine radiotracer to stage high-risk prostate cancer.
- F-18 fluciclovine was also used to guide radiation therapy for prostate cancer in a study presented at last month's American Society for Radiation Oncology meeting.
Get these stories and more in our Molecular Imaging Community, and be sure to check back with us in a couple of weeks for our comprehensive coverage of RSNA 2020!
