DOSIMETRY IN LYMPHOSCINTIGRAPHY OF TC-99M ANTIMONY SULFIDE COLLOID

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 23  (8) , 698-705
Abstract
There is considerable need for a method of examining the lymphatic drainage and lymph nodes in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant diseases. A quantitative kinetic technique using a scintillation camera was developed for investigating lymph drainage and the uptake in the lymph nodes of 99mTcSb2S3 [Tc-99m antimony sulfide colloid] colloid injected s.c. Twenty-two patients with primary malignant melanoma were examined. Lymph-node dissection was performed and 185 lymph nodes were individually measured for radioactivity. The kinetics of colloid uptake in individual nodes can be expressed by a simple 2-compartment model. The outflow of colloid from the injection site was monoexponential, and the tissue volume containing the injected colloid at the injection site increased asymptotically with time. A model was developed for calculating absorbed doses at the injection site and in organs with colloid uptake. The following absorbed doses were estimated (.mu.Gy[Gray]/MBq [Bequerel]): whole body 0.7-4.5; gonads 0-22; liver 1.0-3.9; lymph nodes up to 1000; and injection site about 10,000. Possible biological effects in the skin and effective dose equivalents were estimated when using other lymphoscintigraphic agents.