NOURA AL ABRI
MUSCAT, AUG 26
The Royal Hospital has for the first time introduced the first molecular tomography technology using locally produced radioisotope 18F-PSMA, as part of its efforts to localise advanced medical imaging technologies.
Dr Khalsa al Nabhani, Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department and the Molecular Imaging Centre, said: “The production and evaluation of the quality, efficiency and safety of this isotope were carried out entirely by the work team at the centre’s nuclear accelerator facility, under Omani management, without the need for any external support or international expertise. It is used for the accurate detection of prostate tumours and is an advanced alternative to gallium-68, produced from imported nuclear generators."
"This breakthrough represents a qualitative leap in improving the efficiency of diagnostic services provided to patients relying on high-quality local production. This ensures the continued availability of tests, reduces their costs and shortens waiting time for patients,” she added.
She pointed out that molecular tomography using the 18F-PSMA radiopharmaceutical enables rapid, early and accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers among men worldwide and is on the rise.
The former technology had limited production, sufficient for only two patients per production. The new radiopharmaceutical, however, has a larger production capacity, sufficient for more than 25 patients per production. What distinguishes this product is its extended shelf life which facilitates its distribution to other nuclear medicine centres in the Sultanate of Oman.
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