Dissociation of Tc-99m DTPA in a nebulizer.

An unexpected biodistribution of nebulized Tc-99m diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid was detected after the ventilation of a patient referred for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Radiochemical purity testing of the stock vial showed more than 95% labelling. Further investigation indicated that the problem was possibly associated with a cleaning agent used for the nebulizer, leading to the dissociation of the Tc-99m diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid.

Development of a combined audiovisual and extremity dose monitoring software tool for use in nuclear medicine.

Objectives: Conventional extremity dose monitoring in nuclear medicine, using thermoluminescent dosimeters, provides a convenient method of determining integral doses from a series of procedures. Although semiconductor extremity probes are able to add time information and allow doses from individual procedures to be determined, it can be difficult to relate individual operations to the dose-time curve. Solutions to this problem have been identified and developed.

Comparison of different methods of DatSCAN quantification.

Background: The quantification of DaTSCAN images can be used as an adjunct to visual assessment to differentiate between Parkinson's syndrome and essential tremor. Many programs have been written to assess the relative uptake in the striatum.

Aim: To compare two of the commercially available programs: QuantiSPECT, which analyses isolated data in two dimensions, and BRASS, which performs three-dimensional processing referencing a normal image template.

Variation of DaTSCAN quantification between different gamma camera types.

Objective: To acquire data from a 123I filled Alderson phantom on different gamma cameras types and compare the relative uptake results from processing using the QuantiSPECT program (GE Healthcare).

Methods: A DaTSCAN phantom was filled using the standard protocol and imaged on seven different gamma camera types and on two identical cameras of the same type. The standard GE Healthcare protocols for the given cameras were used.

Delivery and collection of radioactive packages to and from UK hospital nuclear medicine departments.

Under radiation protection legislation in the UK, employers have a duty to maintain appropriate records to account for radioactive materials in their possession and to ensure security of these materials. This applies to radioactive packages, containing items such as technetium generators, which are regularly delivered to hospital nuclear medicine departments. It also applies to the collection of packages, such as those containing used generators for return to the supplier.