While liver biopsies are powerful and reliable, they are also invasive, painful, limited and subject to complications. These effects may soon be a thing of the past for some patients thanks to new research showing PET imaging with the 18F-FAC radiotracer can be used as a non-invasive substitute. The study is featured in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. {read more here}

FDG-PET/CT scans can predict the success of radiation therapy in patients with spinal metastases, especially in regard to progression-free survival, according to a study published online September 28 in PLOS One. {read more here}

A new PET imaging radiotracer could help researchers understand neurodegenerative disease and the aging brain. The study is featured in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. {read more here}

Because of his limited kidney function after the surgery, Bland could not be monitored with conventional computed tomography (CT) scans because contrast agents used in CT scans could further damage the kidney. Instead, his doctors switched to a hybrid form of positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scans.  “PET scans are not typically used to monitor kidney cancer due to their low sensitivity. But sarcomatoid tumors are typically high grade, so they are more likely to take up the radioactive imaging agent used in PET scans,” says Paul. {read more here}