How is technetium 99m used in medical diagnosis

Adverse effects can be uniquely associated with either Tcm or the radiopharmaceutical it is tagged do. Tc99m MDP is more likely to manifest an adverse reaction as a skin rash.

Technetiumm Tc99m is labeled as pregnancy category C, as there are not enough adequate studies in pregnant women. Technetiumm Tc99m can be administered both in adults and children. Extra precautions should be taken with children as the pediatric population is at higher risk for radiation exposure compared to adults.

In contrast, new mothers with exposure to technetiumm agents at their workplace do not require special precautions other than the general protective care from radiation exposure.

Technetiumm has a photopeak of gamma-ray emission of Technetiumm 99mTc is a radionuclide nuclear agent that is FDA approved for diagnostic imaging of the brain, bone, lungs, kidneys, thyroid, heart, gall bladder, liver, spleen, bone marrow, salivary and lachrymal glands, blood pool, and sentinel nodes. This agent should be used by an interprofessional team, which includes a radiologist, nurse, technologist, and physician specializing in their respective field.

The handling of technetiumm should only be done by trained healthcare professionals who are licensed and authorized to use radioactive agents. The clinician administering the radioactive isotope should be familiar with any acute life-threatening adverse effects such as hypersensitivity reactions that may occur during administration.

Physicians should fully inform patients about preparatory instructions before imaging. The results of the imaging should be interpreted and reviewed by a radiologist or trained technologists. During pregnancy, patients should be counseled and provided information on the risks of administering technetiumm as it is a pregnancy category C contraindication. Patients should receive clear explanations of radiation toxicity during pregnancy and avoidance of breastfeeding during pregnancy.

As the half-life of Tcm is only six hours, it does not stay in the human body long. Nuclear medicine scans are safe and are a widely used imaging test.

This shortage is affecting all medical facilities public and private in Australia, and it is unclear how long it will last. ANSTO are undertaking measures to source supplies from overseas to supplement limited resources in Australia. The Department of Health WA is working with stakeholders to best manage this issue locally. Scans are therefore being prioritised based on clinical need.

This prioritisation will allow limited Tcm resources to be appropriately allocated. Scans that will be most impacted are skeletal and myocardial scans. However, the body constantly gets rid of Tc in feces. As with any other radioactive material, there is an increased chance that cancer or other adverse health effects can result from exposure to radiation radiation Energy given off as either particles or rays.

The Tcm used in medical diagnostics has a short, six-hour half-life and does not remain in the body. Skip to main content. Radiation Protection.

Contact Us. Radionuclide Basics: Technetium On this page:. In terms of supply, however, Tcm has had a somewhat chequered past. To create Tcm, you first need to produce Mo, which has a half-life of 66 hours and is more easily transported to hospitals than its short-lived decay product.

Mo is traditionally generated via fission of uranium, achieved by neutron bombardment of uranium targets and performed in a limited number of nuclear reactors. Around a decade ago, the nuclear medicine field experienced a large supply shortage caused by two of these ageing reactors being simultaneously shut down for extended periods.

For instance, several countries have plans to develop new capabilities to produce Mo In addition, companies are developing alternative production methods that do not require uranium targets. One approach is to use neutron capture, in which the stable Mo isotope captures a neutron and transmutes to Mo Other approaches remove the need for a reactor completely, such as photon-induced transmutation of Mo to Mo using photons from electron accelerators.

The need for Tcm is clear, and all stakeholders are working hard to safeguard its supply. The most widely used medical radioisotope, Tcm looks set to continue making an invaluable and significant impact on the lives of patients across the globe. Which is your favourite element?