December 26, 2007 - The loss of more than 50 percent of the North American Mo-99 supply is now having an impact on the ability of physicians to perform diagnostic cardiac nuclear medicine studies which depend on a reliable daily supply of isotope Technetium (Tc-99m).

Severe cutbacks are occurring throughout the nuclear cardiology community as unit doses of Tc-99m cardiac imaging radiopharmaceuticals are rationed. Urgent nuclear cardiology studies may still be performed with a different cyclotron produced radiopharmaceutical, Thallium-201 (Thallous Chloride).
For non-cardiac imaging with nuclear medicine materials, which includes tests for cancer and other disorders, there are very few practical alternatives to Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals. Other radiology imaging modalities have limited capability and capacity to fill the void.

Radiologists are making every effort to employ alternative imaging methods to provide the information needed by patients and their primary physicians until the supply issue can be resolved.
Mallinckrodt Medical, a subsidiary of Covidien, is able to secure Mo-99 from its production facility in the Netherlands. However, Mallinckrodt cannot fully replace the Mo-99 deficit with its European source.

The American College of Radiology is investigating how it may be of service to radiologists and other nuclear medicine providers regarding this issue. The College will continue to monitor this situation and will inform members of any developments as information becomes available.

Source: American College of Radiology

For more information: www.acr.org


Related Content

News | Radiology Business

July 9, 2024 — Bracco and Blue Earth Diagnostics, a Bracco company and recognized leader in the development and ...

Time July 09, 2024
arrow
News | Contrast Media

May 8, 2024 — Swedish biotech company Ascelia Pharma AB has announced that its liver imaging drug candidate, Orviglance ...

Time May 08, 2024
arrow
News | FDA

April 18, 2024 — Lumicell, Inc., a privately held company focused on developing innovative fluorescence-guided imaging ...

Time April 18, 2024
arrow
News | Radiopharmaceuticals and Tracers

April 5, 2024 — RLS Radiopharmacies, America’s only Joint Commission-accredited radiopharmacy network, today announced ...

Time April 05, 2024
arrow
News | Molecular Imaging

March 29, 2024 — Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a cornerstone in the landscape of medical diagnostics, celebrated ...

Time March 29, 2024
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

March 8, 2024 — Lumicell, Inc., a privately held company focused on innovative fluorescence-guided imaging technologies ...

Time March 08, 2024
arrow
News | SNMMI

February 6, 2024 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) held its 2024 SNMMI Mid-Winter Meeting ...

Time February 06, 2024
arrow
Feature | Contrast Media Injectors | By Christine Book

Contrast media injectors are used to inject contrast media or contrast agents to enhance the blood and perfusion in ...

Time January 17, 2024
arrow
News | Contrast Media

December 11, 2023 — Bracco Imaging S.p.A., an innovative world leader delivering end-to-end products and solutions ...

Time December 11, 2023
arrow
News | Interventional Radiology

November 3, 2023 — Guerbet, a global leader in medical imaging with more than 30 years of experience in MRI, announced ...

Time November 03, 2023
arrow
Subscribe Now