Dose reduction by the use of erbium filtration in a general radiographic room.

The conventional aluminium filtration of a general purpose X-ray tube in a district general hospital was replaced by an erbium filter for a 2-month period. The resulting reduction in skin dose was measured for a number of examinations using thermoluminescent dosimetry. The change in effective dose equivalent was calculated from these measurements and compared with previous theoretical estimates.

Breast-milk radioactivity after 99mTc-MAA lung studies.

The concentration of radioactivity in the breast milk of four nursing mothers who had received injections of 99mTc macroaggregated albumin (MAA) was measured. The results were compared with previous measurements, and an estimate of the radiation dose to an infant from internal and external sources was obtained for various times of recommencement of breast feeding. It is suggested that feeding can recommence earlier than the normally recommended 24 h if this is thought to be clinically desirable.

Recognition of the superscan in prostatic bone scintigraphy.

Widespread bone metastases can occasionally give rise to a uniform distribution of 99Tcm methylene diphosphonate resulting in a superficially normal appearance on the bone scan. The scans are recognizable by the high ratio of bone to soft tissue activity, the absence of focal lesions in the axial skeleton, and there are usually no renal images. These "superscans" can occasionally be misinterpreted as normal.

Improved techniques in radionuclide imaging of prostatic lymph nodes.

Further improvements have been made in the technique of human prostatic lymphoscintigraphy, allowing better anatomical localisation of the areas of uptake of activity. A single median injection into the capsule of 99mTc labelled antimony sulphide colloid has been found to give as good imaging as 2 injections on either side of the midline. By placing markers on the umbilicus, pubic symphysis and both anterior superior iliac spines, a "pelvic grid" can be superimposed on the antero-posterior view.

Human prostatic lymphoscintigraphy. A preliminary report.

A simple method for demonstrating prostatic lymphatic drainage by transrectal injection of 99mTc labelled antimony sulphide colloid into the prostatic capsule has been developed. This technique may be readily applied in clinical practice with obvious potential in the assessment and follow-up of patients with carcinoma of the prostate.