It’s mid-January, and for some, 2022 threatens to be a “ditto” of 2021. The Mid-Winter Meeting, a live event we were all looking forward to after missing the opportunity to gather in 2021, has now transitioned to a virtual event once again. Borders are closing—again—and the pandemic continues to impact every aspect of our lives. Yet, with the challenges the past two years have brought, the nuclear medicine community remains strong, continues to advance new imaging and therapeutic techniques, and, most important, supports our colleagues’ professional growth.
The 4 continuing education (CE) articles in this issue present a diverse selection of topics. The SNMMI Clinical Trials Network Research Series continues, with a review of the regulatory process of radiopharmaceuticals (1). In the next CE article, the use of α-emitting radionuclides—a newer topic in nuclear medicine—is described. Brian Serencsits et al. present an in-depth discussion on radiation safety considerations for today’s α-emitting therapeutic protocols (2). In the third CE article, Elad Nevo et al. continue the PET/MRI series, discussing PET/MRI protocols and procedures (3). Finally, Li and colleagues examine the ongoing question of the appropriate collimator for 123I thyroid imaging, comparing low- and medium-energy collimators (4).
The scientific manuscripts offer an assortment of topics, including cardiac, renal, and instrumentation discussions. An examination of the noninvasive approach to diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis with 99mTc-PYP (5) and the results of a predictive model to elute a bolus from an 82Rb generator as a function of generator age (6) are presented. In addition, 2 articles on the use of 68Ga-PSMA-11 in renal PET imaging are included: a correlative assessment of 68Ga-PSMA-11 renal PET parameters and renal function tests (7) and a comparison of 68Ga-PSMA-11 with 99mTc-DSMA for evaluating pyelonephritis (8).
Cultural diversity and the need for professional development in cultural proficiency continue to challenge educators and the medical community worldwide. Geoff Currie offers an interesting discussion on the professional development activities in nuclear medicine that target proficiency and create culturally safe clinical environments for the Indigenous population (9).
Kathy S. Thomas, MHA, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS
Additional topics of interest include an exploration of the changing education methods in Japan during the pandemic and the results of establishing a national diagnostic reference level (DRL) in Kuwait when the ALARA principle of dose optimization is not fully implemented.
The teaching case studies provide helpful images demonstrating key facts or concepts in clinical nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
JNMT continues to look for new topics, clinical research, CE articles, protocols, tips, and pointers. If you have ideas or suggestions or are considering writing but maybe need some help getting started, please contact me at ksthomas0412{at}msn.com. Help is available!! If writing isn’t your thing, but you’re willing to share your expertise by becoming a reviewer for JNMT, please contact me!
Thank you all for your continued dedication and perseverance in these difficult times. Please stay safe and healthy.
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