Nuclear Institute of Medicine and Radiotherapy (NIMRA) Jamshoro, Pakistan , physicistsajjad@hotmail.com
Abstract: (6395 Views)
Background: Technetium-99m radioisotope is the backbone of any nuclear medicine institute. This radioisotope is acquired by the elution of Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m generator which emits 141 keV gamma ray and having 6.04 hour half-life. Occasionally the contents of Molybdenum-99 may mix up with elute, which may affect image quality and patients may receive higher doses than recommended. This study was initiated to check and evaluate the contamination of Molybdenum-99 in Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m generators used at Nuclear Institute of Medicine and Radiotherapy (NIMRA) Jamshoro Pakistan before its administration to patients for diagnostic procedures. Materials and Methods: The Molybdenum-99 impurity in Technetium-99m elute for 50 generators was studied during the year 2012. The measurements were made using dose calibrator and a standard canister at the time of first elution of the generators. The dose calibrator displays result after executing various steps in a sequence. Due to some production process error or any mechanical fault high activity of Molybdenum-99 was recorded and removed with decrease in Technetium-99m yield. Results: The most of eluted generators (90%) contained 10% of molybdenum breakthrough of the permissible limit (P < 0.05). The high activity of Molybdenum-99 was recorded in only 6% of the generator and removed by using standard methods with some reduced Technetium-99m activity. Conclusion: The molybdenum breakthrough was according to recommended standards in most of the generators. The removal of high contents of Molybdenum-99 enabled the institute to continue routine imaging services by improved image quality and reduction in radiation dose to the patients.
Memon S, Laghari N, Qureshi S, Mehdi F. Assessment of molybdenum breakthrough levels in molybdenum-99/technetium-99m generators: One year experience at NIMRA Jamshoro Pakistan. Int J Radiat Res 2014; 12 (4) :343-346 URL: http://ijrr.com/article-1-1353-en.html