Nuclear medicine is a rapidly evolving discipline in modern medicine — and UTMB Health is at the forefront of that growth. With strong institutional support, dedicated faculty, and a program spanning four hospitals, we deliver cutting-edge diagnostic imaging and targeted therapies that were not available even a few years ago. This is an exciting time to be part of nuclear medicine, and that energy is reflected in everything we do.
We offer a comprehensive range of services across oncology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and pulmonary applications.
We currently perform clinical PET/CT using mostly FDG and 12 additional radiopharmaceuticals — among the broadest PET formularies in the region. Tracers most active clinical use include PSMA, amyloid brain, flurpiridaz (F-18 Flyrcado), DOTATATE, and radiolabeled estradiol, enabling highly specific diagnosis across oncology, cardiology, and neurology. Additional diagnostic and therapeutic agents are anticipated as the field continues to expand.
UTMB offers a well-established theranostics program, including Lutetium-177 PSMA (Pluvicto) for metastatic prostate cancer and Lutetium-177 DOTATATE (Lutathera) for neuroendocrine tumors. Radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer remains a cornerstone of our practice. In partnership with Interventional Radiology, we deliver Yttrium-90 radioembolization for primary and metastatic liver cancer.
Our cardiac imaging program meets the highest clinical standards and is offered in collaboration with Cardiology faculty. Services include evaluation of coronary artery disease, cardiac amyloidosis, and myocardial inflammation, as well as quantitative cardiac PET with absolute myocardial blood flow measurement at rest, stress, and coronary flow reserve — among the most advanced cardiac PET capabilities now routine available.
Our section operates eight SPECT and hybrid SPECT/CT systems and PET/CT scanners at two locations. Bone densitometry services are provided at hospital and outpatient clinic sites. A dedicated small-animal SPECT/CT/PET platform supports translational research.
We are an active participant in biomedical imaging research. We conduct clinical trials supported by federal grants, private foundations, and industry partnerships. Current investigational focus includes dynamic FDG PET applications in the evaluation of inflammation and neurodegenerative disease.
Consistent with UTMB's longstanding mission as a leading academic medical center, our section trains radiology residents and fellows who go on to top institutions nationwide — or return to UTMB to continue building our program. We are committed to developing the next generation of specialists, and our trainees benefit from one of the most clinically diverse and technologically advanced environments in the region.