Dear Molecular Imaging Insider,
The 2019 annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is now history, but the four-day event certainly will have a long-lasting effect on the future of molecular imaging.
FDG-PET took center stage for many of the presentations, which included a study on the modality's efficacy in combining with MRI to detect abnormalities associated with complex regional pain syndrome. Researchers from Stanford University found that the modality's improved sensitivity revealed changes in muscle tissue that could not be visualized with MRI. The details are available in this edition's Insider Exclusive.
Another group of Stanford researchers presented a study at SNMMI 2019 on how FDG-PET/MRI can improve care management strategies for a majority of patients by identifying increased metabolic activity or inflammation associated with chronic pain.
In addition, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a whole-body PET protocol with much shorter acquisition times to analyze tumor processes. So far, the results are quite promising. Their colleagues reported early success in adapting a new method of calculating beta-amyloid accumulation, as seen in PET scans, for people with Down syndrome.
The highlight of every SNMMI annual meeting is the announcement of the Image of the Year. A group of German researchers received the 2019 honor for a radiotracer that can detect 28 different types of cancer.
Our SNMMI 2019 video interviews included four distinguished members of the organization:
- Dr. Vasken Dilsizian, SNMMI president, discussed plans for expanded outreach during his term.
- Alan Packard, PhD, SNMMI president-elect, offered an update on current and future expectations for molybdenum-99 supplies.
- Dr. Barry Siegel addressed PET reimbursement and his inaugural eponymous lecture series.
- Dr. François Lamoureux, head of the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine, provided information on access to PET services in his country and other nuclear medicine issues facing his fellow specialists.
Two days after the close of SNMMI 2019, Bracco Imaging made huge news with its definitive agreement to acquire molecular imaging firm Blue Earth Diagnostics for $450 million and other considerations.
Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging are constantly evolving. Be sure to stay in touch with the Molecular Imaging Community on a daily basis for the latest in new research and news from around the world.
