Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Is the nuclear medicine community facing a shortage of SPECT radiopharmaceuticals? That's the question posed by a new two-part series we're featuring in our Molecular Imaging Community.
Supplies of key radioisotopes such as molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) had never been very secure anyway. But things got even more unsettled on October 31, when operators of a Canadian nuclear reactor went through with their plan to stop routine production of Mo-99. While the reactor is still available in case of emergencies, the world is going to have to get by without what had been for decades the workhorse supplier of Mo-99, especially in North America.
What happens now? In the first part of the series, Giananthony Rizzo of Decision Resources Group examines what needs to happen for the radioisotope industry to get back on a firm footing, as well as the market forces working against a more stable supply. Read the article by clicking here, or visit the community at molecular.auntminnie.com.
CCTA of plaque
Clinicians are realizing the importance of plaque measurements on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) exams as a way of determining which patients might be at risk of a future cardiac event. But how variable are CCTA plaque measurements if different CT scanners are used at different times?
Researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health asked that question in a new study we're highlighting in our CT Community. In the study, they used CT scanners from two different manufacturers to measure plaque volume using a software application, and then compared how much the numbers differed between scanners.
The study offers a cautionary note to anyone using CCTA to track plaque volume. Learn more by clicking here, or visit the community at ct.auntminnie.com.
Andy and Ryan are off to Chicago
Sure, RSNA 2016 doesn't start until November 27, but in our virtual world of #MyRadGirlfriend, Andy and Ryan have already boarded a plane to Chicago. It doesn't take long for an emergency to develop, however. Find out what happens in the next installment by clicking here.
