In this Issue: July 2016

I am distinctly honored to have the opportunity to serve as guest editor for a nuclear medicine (NM) edition of the JAOCR. Special thanks to Dr. William O’Brien, editor-in-chief, for entrusting me with such a tremendous opportunity and responsibility.

I was incredibly excited when the opportunity first arose to function as guest editor for this edition—but some trepidation soon followed. Having reviewed past issues, I wanted to ensure we could meet the goal of providing current and relevant information to practicing radiologists and trainees, while upholding JAOCR’s high-quality standard. Because of the hard work of the authors, peer reviewers, and editorial staff, I wholeheartedly believe we have accomplished that goal.

Our first review article covers SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. As the most common nuclear medicine exam, it would be remiss to not include it in an NM subspecialty issue. This review aims to provide a greater understanding of the exam, from indications to image acquisition and interpretation.

The second article is a review of NM genitourinary imaging in native kidneys. This article covers several GU examinations, including dynamic renography, diuretic renography, ACEI renography, and radionuclide cystography. The ability for scintigraphy to image physiology remains useful when evaluating the GU system. A solid understating of radiopharmaceutical properties and study acquisition is required for accurate interpretation, and this review helps meet that need.

The case reports center around hypermetabolic appendiceal activity on PET-CT and bone scan uptake in a radiographically benign-appearing lesion in a child. These reports provide differential-based discussions for the key finding in each case. The Viewbox articles present interesting cases of biliary atresia and a hibernoma.

I would again like to express my gratitude for this amazing opportunity. Thanks to all who made it possible, especially the authors and peer reviewers who dedicated time to this endeavor. Also, a heartfelt thank you to those who read our work. Our sincerest desire is that these articles prove beneficial to you and your practice, and possibly even motivate some to consider a subspecialty career in nuclear medicine.