Transmission Whole-body Scintigraphy Using a Line Source

Abstract

Transmission scanning was proposed to be a useful adjunct to conventional emission scanning for accurately keying radionuclide deposition to radiographic anatomy. After introduction of a scintillation camera, transmission whole-body scintigraphy using a flood source has been performed in a patient with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. In recent immunoscintigraphy with radiolabeled monoclonal anti-tumor antibodies has become popular and transmission whole-body scintigraphy have been re-evaluated to make diagnosis for laterality of metastases.
However, there are several problems to handle a flood source for preparation and shielding. We developed a special line source for transmission whole-body scintigraphy. The lane source is composed of a plastic tube (inner diameter: 3 mm) with three-way stop in a U-shaped metal.
There are several advantages to use this line source as compared to a flood one; (1) a small volume of radioactive solution (less than 5 ml), (2) easy preparation and setting, and (3) less radiation. Moreover good quality of transmission image is obtained using this line source.