Dear Molecular Imaging Insider,
European researchers made significant contributions to this year's meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Among the noteworthy presentations was a study from French researchers on the use of the radiopharmaceutical fluorine-18 dihydroxyphenylalanine (F-18 DOPA) with PET imaging to better diagnose and potentially change treatment plans for patients with brain tumors.
Their prospective study of more than 100 patients found that F-18 DOPA-PET altered management decisions in 34% of cases. Learn more here.
German researchers also made news at SNMMI 2017 with the Image of the Year award. The recognition went to researchers who showed the use of PET/CT followed by fluorescence-guided surgery to demonstrate how dual-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) inhibitors based on PSMA-11 successfully enhanced preoperative staging of metastatic prostate cancer.
A new survey of radiation dose across the U.K. on how PET/CT and SPECT/CT imaging procedures are administered has resulted in diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for radiation dose for six common examinations, including cardiac and bone SPECT/CT. The collection of CT protocols and dosimetry data for three PET/CT and seven SPECT/CT exams will establish national DRLs and hopefully optimize practice across the nation.
Cardiac PET is often used to measure tissue viability, myocardial perfusion, and functional parameters such as ejection fraction. Now, a group of researchers are showing details about how motion compensation can improve the modality's efficacy.
In addition, a team of investigators has developed a hybrid multiplexing technique that can help facilitate a clinical-scale PET scanner based on silicon photomultipliers.
Be sure to visit the Molecular Imaging Community on a daily basis to stay informed on the latest news and research from around the continent and the world.
