Overview

Physicians in the Nuclear Medicine Division perform clinical services in positron emission tomography (PET/CT), single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT/CT), planar gamma imaging and nuclear medicine therapies. Additionally, they collaborate with researchers for clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, and industry partners in translating novel PET and SPECT radiopharmaceuticals for use in human subjects. 

Patient Care

Clinical work is performed at Parkland Memorial Hospital, William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Zale Lipshy Pavilion, and the PET Imaging Services at Clements Advanced Imaging Center. The division provides comprehensive clinical services, including general nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, oncologic PET/CT with 18F FDG (for human solid tumors), 18F DOTATATE (neuroendocrine tumors), 18F fluciclovine (prostate cancer), 18F sodium fluoride (bone metastases), cardiac PET/CT and brain PET/CT with 18F FDG and 18F-amyloid radiotracers. In addition, radionuclide therapies for benign thyroid disorders, malignant thyroid cancers, and bone metastases (Xofigo) are performed.

Research

Intellectual vibrancy and technological innovation are core values of the Nuclear Medicine DivisionClinical research activities include National Cancer Institute-sponsored multicenter clinical trials in many human solid tumors, PET and SPECT neuroimaging for various neurodegenerative disorders, including novel tau radiotracers, and whole body imaging for oncologic disorders initiated by UT Southwestern investigators and cardiac PET/CT for cardiac diseases.

Preclinical imaging occurs in the Bill and Rita Clements Advanced Medical Imaging Building in laboratories containing state-of-the-art small animal PET/CT and SPECT/CT scanners and radiochemistry equipment.

Current areas of preclinical research include development of and in vivo testing of novel radiotracers to measure beta cell mass and function, tissue fibrosis, tumor localization, and physiology. Other areas of investigation include application of radionuclide to enhance nanoparticle technology development and application, use of copper radionuclides in imaging of neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, and for imaging and therapy in prostate cancer, and use of mouse models of estrogen deficiency or resistance combined with imaging to understand how sex steroids regulate bone mass and metabolism.

Preclinical studies are supported by synthetic chemistry and radiochemistry, and frequently incorporate cell and molecular biology for a more comprehensive study of disease mechanisms and pathophysiology.

Education

The Nuclear Medicine Division provides clinical and academic training for residents in the Department of Radiology. Our Nuclear Medicine Residency training program is intended to prepare radiologists for successful careers in either academic or private practice settings, and to become independent nuclear medicine physicians.