Technetium-99m (99mTc) is a radionuclide isotope that is used primarily for imaging and diagnostic purposes.[1] It was isolated in 1938 from molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) decay and is the most common radioactive isotope tracer used for SPECT (single-photon emission computerized tomography) imaging of the brain, bones, lungs, kidneys, thyroid, heart, gall bladder, liver, spleen, bone marrow, salivary and lachrymal glands, blood pool, and sentinel nodes.[2][3] Technetium-99m is a more desirable radionuclide than other nuclear agents due to its short six-hour half-life, and the fact that it is not limited to a primary organ. 99mTc's short half-life accounts for less total radiation exposure to the patient.[3] Furthermore, the region of perfusion in an organ or tissue is evaluated by the uptake of the radiotracer, determining reversible or irreversible ischemia.[4]
FDA approved Technetium-99m use:
Radioactive isotopes of technetium-99m (Tc) exert their effects by emitting gamma rays, which are then picked up by a gamma camera for imaging.[5][6] The radiotracers are not localized to a primary organ and distribute equally to multiple tissues. Once distributed, they emit photons that can be captured with for imaging with SPECT or PET.[4][7]
Technetium (Tc99m) radiotracer may be administered via injection intravenously or orally.[8][6]
Technetium-99m sodium pertechnetate
Technetium 99m-methylene diphosphonate[8]
Technetium Tc99m Exametazime
Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi[6]
Technetium-99m tilmanocept
Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin
Dosages may be modified depending on the patient and indications of imaging. Patients who receive the agent orally are to fast for a minimum of six hours before administration.
Most commonly, Technetium-99m causes rash, angioedema, fever, and anaphylaxis due to hypersensitivity reactions. Patients may also experience a transient increase in blood pressure, seizures, arrhythmias, and syncope. When used in abdominal imaging, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur. Patients may experience transient arthritis if the joint is affected.
Severe hypersensitivity type reactions may occur shortly following the administration of Technetium-99m. The administering nurse or physician should have with corticosteroids and antihistamines at the ready in the event complications do arise.[6]
Technetium-99m (Tc99m) is labeled as pregnancy category C, as there are not enough adequate studies in pregnant women. Breastfeeding is a contraindication to its use as 10% of the agent may be excreted in breast milk during lactation.[9] Patients are advised to pump and discard breast milk or store up to 60-hours post-technetium-99m administration, and the recommendation is to formula feed.[10] Furthermore, a previously documented hypersensitivity reaction to Technetium-99m would be a contraindication to its use.
Technetium-99m (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 technetium-99m agents at their workplace do not require special precautions other than the general protective care from radiation exposure.[10]
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.[2][3] The kidneys excrete a portion of technetium-99m, so patients with an impaired renal function require dosing modifications given their additional exposure to radiation.
Technetium-99m (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 technetium-99m should only be done by trained healthcare professionals who are licensed and authorized to use radioactive agents. The nurse 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 technetium-99m as it is a pregnancy category C contraindication. Patients should receive clear explanations of radiation toxicity during pregnancy and avoidance of breastfeeding during pregnancy. The interprofessional team should counsel patients on the adverse effects of technetium-99m, and the early and late complications that may arise, and the severity of the complexity. Clear communication within an interprofessional team can minimize adverse effects and maximize the results of various diagnostic modalities to optimize patient care.
[1] | Papagiannopoulou D, Technetium-99m radiochemistry for pharmaceutical applications. Journal of labelled compounds [PubMed PMID: 28618064] |
[2] | Adams C,Banks KP, Bone Scan 2020 Jan; [PubMed PMID: 30285381] |
[3] | Green CH, Technetium-99m production issues in the United Kingdom. Journal of medical physics. 2012 Apr; [PubMed PMID: 22557795] |
[4] | Patel JJ,Alzahrani T, Myocardial Perfusion Scan 2020 Jan; [PubMed PMID: 30969594] |
[5] | Uzunov NM,Melendez-Alafort L,Bello M,Cicoria G,Zagni F,De Nardo L,Selva A,Mou L,Rossi-Alvarez C,Pupillo G,Di Domenico G,Uccelli L,Boschi A,Groppi F,Salvini A,Taibi A,Duatti A,Martini P,Pasquali M,Loriggiola M,Marengo M,Strada L,Manenti S,Rosato A,Esposito J, Radioisotopic purity and imaging properties of cyclotron-produced {sup}99m{/sup}Tc using direct {sup}100{/sup}Mo(p,2n) reaction. Physics in medicine and biology. 2018 Sep 19; [PubMed PMID: 30229740] |
[6] | Rizk TH,Nagalli S, Technetium (99mTc) Sestamibi 2020 Jan; [PubMed PMID: 31985941] |
[7] | Lee WW, Clinical Applications of Technetium-99m Quantitative Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography. Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. 2019 Jun; [PubMed PMID: 31231437] |
[8] | Dinh T,McWhorter N, Triple Phase Bone Scan 2020 Jan; [PubMed PMID: 30571011] |
[9] | Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m 2006; [PubMed PMID: 30000638] |
[10] | Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime 2006; [PubMed PMID: 30000634] |