Most Clicked SNM SmartBrief Stories
1. Number of PET procedures goes up while sales stall
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 18, 2008
Although demand for PET procedures is expected to grow 20% in 2008, sales of PET systems were down 19.2% in 2007 from the year before. International sales continue to climb, increasing 9% in 2007 to 291 orders. AuntMinnie.com (07/17)
2. Report: AECL documents show miscommunication over reactor
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 21, 2008
An early release of documents, obtained by Canwest News Service, details problems between Atomic Energy of Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Canadian government regarding last fall's shutdown of the National Research Universal reactor, which supplies about 50% of the world's medical isotopes. The documents report on a series of e-mails between officials that reveal deteriorating communications and relationships. Canada.com (07/20)
3. Study reveals importance of nuclear medicine, physician teamwork
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 22, 2008
New research from St. Louis University has found that teamwork between nuclear medicine clinicians and physicians improves accuracy and can prevent biopsies, keeping patients with head and neck cancer from suffering unnecessary pain. Specifically, the study found that the inclusion of clinical data greatly reduces false positive and negative rates that are sometimes produced by PET-CT scans. Newswise (07/21)
4. FluoroPharma tests imaging agent as heart disease indicator
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 24, 2008
FluoroPharma, a Boston-based imaging-agent developer, has received successful results from a Phase I trial for BFPET, a PET imaging agent that assesses blood flow in the heart. The company said it hopes that the fluorine-18-labeled tracer will be helpful in diagnosing coronary artery disease. KRNV-TV (Reno, Nev.) (07/23) AuntMinnie.com (07/23)
5. FDG-PET used as additional prognostic tool in Stage I lung cancer
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 23, 2008
FDG-PET and regular CT examinations may be useful in discovering growth rates for Stage I lung cancer, according to new research. A study of Stage I lung cancer patients showed that understanding the relationship between pre-treatment metabolic activities measured by FDG and growth rates from CT scanning is crucial to deciding the course of treatment. HealthImaging.com (07/22)
6. PET indicates survival rates for breast carcinoma
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 18, 2008
Research indicates that PET supplies predictive survival information for women with locally advanced breast carcinoma. The research looked at changes in tumor blood flow and FDG transport as indicators of tumor recurrence. Modern Medicine (07/17)
7. GE expected to lay off dozens of workers
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 23, 2008
GE Healthcare is expected to lay off as many as 40 workers at its Madison, Wis., facility due to the current weak health care market in the U.S. "This is a difficult but necessary action to remain competitive, reduce costs and adjust our production capacity to market demands," GE public relations director Brian McKaig said. HealthImaging.com (07/22)
8. Study: Iodinated contrast material less harmful than previously thought
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 18, 2008
Using iodinated contrast material may be less harmful to patients' kidneys than once believed, according to a new study at Columbia University Medical Center. The study looked at creatinine changes in patients who received and did not receive the material and found that creatinine levels in both groups increased with about the same frequency. AuntMinnie.com (07/18)
9. "An absolute must-have for any nuclear medicine department"
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 18, 2008
"A Patient's Guide to Nuclear Medicine Procedures" is all you need to prepare your patients for their upcoming tests. Available in convenient flip-chart and pocket-size formats, this new release includes simple explanations for more than 30 nuclear medicine procedures, with English on one side and Spanish translation on the other. More information. Blank (07/18)
10. Professor awarded grant to study non-necessary imaging
SNM SmartBrief | Jul 22, 2008
Professor Frank Levy will look into evidence that suggests that a large majority of medical imaging is done only to satisfy a patient, generate income or protect against malpractice. The research will be used to increase understanding of the ability to reduce the health care costs associated with unnecessary imaging procedures. HealthImaging.com (07/21)
