Why technetium-99m is used in medical applications as a means of contrast?

Technetium-99m has a photopeak of gamma-ray emission of 140.5 keV, making it a very minimal risk of toxicity. [3] The short six-hour half-life and rapid excretion from the body limit toxic effects and give enough time to perform its diagnostic imaging, all while limiting radiation exposure to the patient.

What is the difference between technetium-99m and technetium 99?

Technetium-99 is produced during nuclear reactor operation, and is a byproduct of nuclear weapons explosions. Technetium-99 can be found as a component of nuclear waste. Technetium-99m is a short-lived form of Tc-99 that is used as a medical diagnostic tool.

What is Tc-99m bone scan?

Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) is one of the agents of choice for evaluation of osteomyelitis. This is the agent used for the triple-phase bone scan. It is injected intravenously, and flow/perfusion studies of the affected part are obtained at one image per second for a total of 30 seconds.

How long does a scintigraphy take?

This varies depending on the organ to be examined: image capture usually takes between 15 minutes and 2 hours. Do not worry if the exam seems to take long or if multiple images are captured: we do this in order to obtain the best possible image quality.

What is the purpose of technetium-99m?

Technetium-99m is used to image the skeleton and heart muscle in particular, but also for brain, thyroid, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, gall bladder, bone marrow, salivary and lachrymal glands, heart blood pool, infection and numerous specialized medical studies.

Is technetium-99m used in MRI?

Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) sestamibi with or without single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), ultrasound (US), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) all are noninvasive techniques that can detect enlarged or abnormally functioning parathyroid tissue.

Why is technetium 99m used in gamma camera?

Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) can be readily detected in the body by medical equipment because it emits 140.5 keV gamma rays (these are about the same wavelength as emitted by conventional X-ray diagnostic equipment), and its half-life for gamma emission is six hours (meaning 94% of it decays to 99Tc in 24 hours).

What are the benefits of technetium 99m?

Technetium-99m Benefits

  • The principal benefit of this radioactive substance is its long half life. 6 hours is long enough for various medical examinations to be done.
  • The radiation dose to the patient remains low because 99mTc emits gamma-ray.
  • 99m
  • It emits the 140 keV gamma rays, which is readily detectable.

What are the 3 phases of a bone scan?

The procedure is painless. Your health care provider might order a three-phase bone scan, which includes a series of images taken at different times. A number of images are taken as the tracer is injected, then shortly after the injection, and again 3 to 5 hours after the injection.

Why would a doctor order a bone scan?

A doctor may order a bone scan to: identify bone cancer. determine whether cancer from another part of the body has spread to the bones. locate hidden bone fractures that do not appear on X-rays.