40270 -- Merck BATCH RIGHT
Radioactive Isotopes Used in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy
Name Principal Mode
and Nuclear Form Use of
Symbol Properties Administration
Americium Half-life 432.7y Encapsulated source Diagnostic: Radiation source for bone External irradiation
241
Am (5.49, 5.44) mineral analyzer
(0.060)
Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (intracavi- Intracavitary irra-
tary radiation source) diation
Calcium Half-life 4.53d Calcium chloride Diagnostic: Calcium metabolism studies i.v.
47
Ca (0.67, 1.98)
(1.297)
Cesium Half-life 30.0y Cesium chloride or ce- Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (teletherapy External, intracavi-
137
Cs (1.176, 0.514) sium sulfate (encased source, intracavitary or interstitial ra- tary or intersti-
in needles or applica- diation source) tial irradiation
Daughter Half-life 2.552min
tor cells)
137m
Ba (0.662)
Chromium Half-life 27.704d Chromic chloride Diagnostic: Determn of serum protein i.v.
51
Cr K; (0.32) loss into the gastrointestinal tract
Chromium disodium ed- Diagnostic: Determn of glomerular fil- i.v.
etate tration rate
Labeled human serum Diagnostic: Placenta localization; gas- i.v.
albumin trointestinal protein loss
Sodium chromate la- Diagnostic: Determn of red cell volume i.v.
beled red blood cells or mass; red cell survival time; evalu-
ation of blood loss; spleen imaging;
placenta localization
Cobalt Half-life 5.271y Metallic cobalt Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (teletherapy External, intracavi-
60
Co (0.318, 1.48) source, intracavitary or interstitial ra- tary or intersti-
(1.173, 1.332) diation source) tial irradiation
Radioactive vitamin B12 Diagnostic: In Schilling test for absence Orally
of intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia)
or other defects of intestinal vitamin
B12 absorption
57
Co Half-life 271.77d Radioactive vitamin B12 Diagnostic: In Schilling test for absence Orally
K; (0.122) of intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia)
or other defects of intestinal vitamin
B12 absorption
58
Co Half-life 71.91d Radioactive vitamin B12 Diagnostic: In Schilling test for absence Orally
K; +(0.48) of intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia)
(0.811) or other defects of intestinal vitamin
B12 absorption
Copper Half-life 12.701h Copper versenate Diagnostic: Brain scan i.v.
64
Cu (0.571)
+(0.657) Copper acetate Diagnostic: Study of Wilson s disease Orally or i.v.
(1.34)
Fluorine Half-life 1.8295h Fludeoxyglucose (FDG) Diagnostic: Functional brain imaging i.v.
18
F +(0.635)
Sodium fluoride (reactor Diagnostic: Bone scan Orally or i.v.
produced)
Gadolinium Half-life 241.6d Sealed source Diagnostic: Radiation source for bone External irradiation
153
Gd K; (0.70, 0.097, mineral analyzer
0.103)
Gallium Half-life 3.261d Gallium citrate Diagnostic: Detection of neoplastic and i.v.
67
Ga K; (0.093, 0.184, inflammatory lesions; tumor seeking
0.300, 0.393) agent
40270 -- Merck BATCH LEFT
Radioactive Isotopes Used in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy (Continued)
Name Principal Mode
and Nuclear Form Use of
Symbol Properties Administration
Gold Half-life 2.6935d Colloidal gold Diagnostic: Liver imaging i.v.
198
Au (1.371, 0.962)
Colloidal gold or seeds Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation Intraperitoneal, in-
(0.412)
source) in treatment of widespread trapleural or in-
abdominal carcinomatosis with as- terstitial irradia-
cites; carcinomatosis of pleura with tion
effusion; lymphomas; interstitially in
metastatic tumors
Indium Half-life 1.658h Indium colloid Diagnostic: Liver and spleen imaging i.v.
113m
In (0.393)
Indium Fe(OH)3 Diagnostic: Pulmonary perfusion imag- i.v.
ing; cardiac output
Indium labeled red Diagnostic: Determn of blood volume i.v.
blood cells
Indium pentetate Diagnostic: Brain scan; renal function i.v.
(DTPA) studies
Indium transferrin Diagnostic: Static cardiovascular blood i.v.
pool imaging; hepatic and placenta
blood pool imaging; placenta locali-
zation
111
In Half-life 2.807d Indium bleomycin Diagnostic: Tumor detection i.v.
K; (0.172, 0.247)
Indium capromab pen- Diagnostic: Tumor detection for prostate i.v.
detide cancer
Indium chloride Diagnostic: Hematopoietic bone marrow i.v.
imaging; tumor detection
Indium oxyquinoline Diagnostic: Detection of abscesses, in- i.v.
(oxine) labeled leuko- fections and inflammation
cytes
Indium oxyquinoline Diagnostic: Detection of deep vein i.v.
(oxine) labeled plate- thrombosis; cardiac thrombosis; renal
lets transplant rejection
Indium oxyquinoline Diagnostic: Detection of gastrointestinal i.v.
(oxine) labeled red bleeding
blood cells
Indium pentetate Diagnostic: Gastric emptying studies; Orally
(DTPA) Cardiac output; renal scintigraphy; i.v.
Cisternography Intrathecal, intra-
cisternal or in-
traventricular
Indium pentetreotide Diagnostic: Neuroendocrine tumor de- i.v.
tection
Indium satumomab pen- Diagnostic: Tumor detection i.v.
detide
Iodine Half-life 8.040d Diiodofluorescein Diagnostic: Brain scan i.v.
131
I (0.607, 0.81,
Iobenguane (MIBG) Diagnostic: Adrenomedullary imaging i.v.
0.336)
and tumor detection
(0.080, 0.284,
0.364, 0.637,
Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation i.v.
0.723)
source) in treatment of neuroendo-
crine tumors
Iodinated fats and fatty Diagnostic: Pancreatic function; intesti- Orally
acids, e.g. oleic acid, nal fat absorption
triolein
40270 -- Merck BATCH RIGHT
Radioactive Isotopes Used in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy (Continued)
Name Principal Mode
and Nuclear Form Use of
Symbol Properties Administration
Iodine Iodinated fibrinogen Diagnostic: In vitro determn of fibrino- In vitro
131
I lytic enzymes
(Cont d)
Iodinated human serum Diagnostic: Plasma volume determn; pe- i.v.
albumin (IHSA) ripheral vascular flow; cardiac output;
circulation time; cerebral vascular
flow
Brain scan; placenta localization i.v.
Cisternography Intrathecal
Iodinated human serum Diagnostic: Pulmonary perfusion imag- i.v.
albumin (macroaggre- ing
gated)
Iodinated human serum Diagnostic: Hepatic blood pool imaging i.v.
albumin (microaggre-
gated)
Iodinated levothyroxine Diagnostic: Metabolic study of endoge- i.v.
nous thyroxine
In vitro determn of thyroid function In vitro
Iodinated liothyronine Diagnostic: In vitro determn of thyroid In vitro
function
Iodinated povidone Diagnostic: Protein-loss enteropathy i.v.
Iodinated rose bengal Diagnostic: Liver function in hepatic i.v.
excretion studies
Iodinated tositumomab Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation i.v.
source) in treatment of non-Hodg-
kin s lymphoma
Iodohippurate sodium Diagnostic: Determn of renal function, i.v.
renal blood flow, urinary tract ob-
struction; renal imaging
Sodium iodide Diagnostic: Thyroid function studies; Orally or i.v.
thyroid imaging
Therapeutic: Hyperthyroidism; neoplas- Orally or i.v.
tic (radiation source) in treatment of
thyroid cancer
125
I Half-life 60.14d K Iodinated fats or fatty Diagnostic: Pancreatic function; intesti- Orally
(0.035) acids nal fat absorption
Iodinated fibrinogen Diagnostic: Localization of deep vein i.v.
thrombosis; study of fibrinogen me-
tabolism
In vitro determn of fibrinolytic en- In vitro
zymes
Iodinated human serum Diagnostic: Determn of blood or plasma i.v.
albumin (IHSA) volume; circulation time; cardiac out-
put
Iodinated levothyroxine Diagnostic: Metabolic study of endoge- i.v.
nous thyroxine
In vitro determn of thyroid function In vitro
Iodinated liothyronine Diagnostic: In vitro determn of thyroid In vitro
function
Iodinated povidone Diagnostic: Protein-loss enteropathy i.v.
Iodinated rose bengal Diagnostic: Liver function in hepatic i.v.
excretion studies
Sealed source Diagnostic: Radiation source for bone External irradiation
mineral analyzer
40270 -- Merck BATCH LEFT
Radioactive Isotopes Used in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy (Continued)
Name Principal Mode
and Nuclear Form Use of
Symbol Properties Administration
Iodine Sodium iodide Diagnostic: Thyroid function studies; Orally or i.v.
125
I thyroid imaging
(Cont d)
123
I Half-life 13.2h K; Iobenguane (MIBG) Diagnostic: Adrenomedullary imaging i.v.
(0.159) and tumor detection
Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation i.v.
source) in treatment of neuroendo-
crine tumors
Iodohippurate sodium Diagnostic: Determn of renal function, i.v.
renal blood flow, urinary obstruction;
renal imaging
Iofetamine hydrochlo- Diagnostic: Cerebral imaging i.v.
ride (IMP)
Sodium iodide Diagnostic: Thyroid function studies; Orally or i.v.
thyroid imaging
Iridium Half-life 73.831d Seed encased in nylon Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (interstitial Interstitial irradia-
192
Ir (0.67) ribbon radiation source) tion
(0.296, 0.308,
0.317, 0.468,
0.589, 0.604,
0.612)
Iron Half-life 44.496d Ferric chloride Diagnostic: Ferrokinetics i.v.
59
Fe (0.273, 0.475) Ferrous citrate
(1.095, 1.292) Ferrous sulfate
Labeled red blood cells Diagnostic: Red cell maturation studies i.v.
55
Fe Half-life 2.73y Labeled red blood cells Diagnostic: Red cell maturation studies i.v.
K
Krypton Half-life 10.72y Gas Diagnostic: Cardiac abnormalities; skel- Intramuscular or
85
Kr (0.67) etal muscle, coronary or cerebral intra-arterial in-
(0.517) blood flow jection
81m
Kr Half-life 13s Gas Diagnostic: Lung ventilation studies Inhalation
(0.19)
Lead Half-life 22.3y Beta ray applicator Therapeutic: See Strontium (90Sr) External irradiation
RaD(210Pb) (0.017)
(0.047)
Daughter Half-life 5.013d
RaE(210Bi) (1.16)
Mercury Half-life 2.6725d Chlormerodrin Diagnostic: Brain scan; renal imaging i.v.
197
Hg K; (0.077)
Merisoprol Diagnostic: Determn of renal function i.v.
203
Hg Half-life 46.60d Chlormerodrin Diagnostic: Brain scan; renal imaging i.v.
(0.214)
(0.279)
Phosphorous Half-life 14.282d Chromic phosphate Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation Intrapleural or in-
32
P (1.71) source) in treatment of peritoneal or traperitoneal
pleural effusions caused by metastatic
disease
Labeled red blood cells Diagnostic: Blood volume determn i.v.
Sodium phosphate Diagnostic: Study of peripheral vascular Orally or i.v.
disease; localization of ocular, brain
and skin tumors; study of breast car-
cinomas
40270 -- Merck BATCH RIGHT
Radioactive Isotopes Used in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy (Continued)
Name Principal Mode
and Nuclear Form Use of
Symbol Properties Administration
Phosphorous Therapeutic: Polycythemia vera; chronic Orally or i.v.
32
P myelocytic leukemia; chronic lym-
(Cont d) phocytic leukemia; skeletal metasta-
ses; antineoplastic (radiation source)
Potassium Half-life 22.3h Potassium chloride Diagnostic: Myocardial scan; determn i.v.
43
K (0.83, 0.46, of total exchangeable potassium
1.22, 1.82)
(0.618, 0.373,
0.39, 0.59, 0.22)
42
K Half-life 12.360h Potassium carbonate Diagnostic: Localization of brain tu- Orally or i.v.
(3.52) mors; determn of intracellular fluid
(1.524) space
Potassium chloride Diagnostic: Tumor detection; renal i.v.
blood flow; determn of total ex-
changeable potassium
Radium Half-life 1600y Radium bromide; and Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation Interstitial irradia-
226
Ra (4.78, 4.60) particles filtered by source) in treatment of malignancies tion
(0.187) platinum such as cancer of uterine cervix and
fundus, oral pharynx, urinary bladder,
skin and metastatic cancer of lymph
nodes
Radon Half-life 3.825d Gaseous radon; and Therapeutic: See Radium (226Ra) Interstitial irradia-
(Radium (5.49) particles filtered by tion
Emanation) (0.510) 0.3 mm of gold
222
Rn
(Daughter of
226
Ra)
Ruthenium Half-life 1.020y Beta ray applicator Therapeutic: See Strontium (90Sr) External irradiation
106
Ru (0.039)
Daughter Half-life 29.80s
(106Rh) (3.53, 3.1, 2.4)
(0.512, 0.622,
1.128)
Samarium Half life 1.946d Sm-lexidronam Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation i.v.
153
Sm (0.81, 0.71, (EDTMP) source) in treatment of bone cancer
0.64) (0.103,
0.070)
Selenium Half-life 119.77d Selenomethionine Diagnostic: Imaging of pancreas and i.v.
75
Se K; (0.265, 0.136, parathyroid glands
0.121, 0.280,
0.401)
Sodium Half-life 14.659h Sodium chloride Diagnostic: Determn of circulation i.v.
24
Na (1.389, 4.17) times, sodium space, total exchange-
(1.369, 2.754) able sodium
22
Na Half-life 2.602y Sodium chloride Diagnostic: Determn of sodium space i.v.
+(0.545, 1.83) and total exchangeable sodium
K; (1.275)
Strontium Half-life 64.84d Strontium chloride Diagnostic: Bone imaging i.v.
85
Sr K; (0.514) Strontium nitrate
87m
Sr Half-life 2.795h
(0.388)
90
Sr Half-life 28.5y Beta ray applicator Therapeutic: Treatment of benign condi- External irradiation
(0.546) tions of eye such as pterygia, trau-
matic corneal ulceration, corneal
Daughter Half-life 2.671d
scars, vernal conjunctivitis, heman-
90
Y (2.288)
gioma of eyelid, vascularization of
(2.186)
cornea and in preparation for a cor-
neal transplant
40270 -- Merck BATCH LEFT
Radioactive Isotopes Used in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy (Continued)
Name Principal Mode
and Nuclear Form Use of
Symbol Properties Administration
Sulfur Half-life 87.51d Sodium sulfate Diagnostic: Determn of extracellular i.v.
35
S (0.167) fluid volume
Technetium Half-life 6.006h Sodium pertechnetate Diagnostic: Brain imaging. Cerebral an- Orally or i.v.
99m
Tc IT, (0.141) giography; thyroid imaging; salivary i.v.
gland imaging; placenta localization;
blood pool imaging; gastric mucosa
imaging; cardiac function studies; re-
nal blood flow studies
Urinary bladder imaging Urethral catheteri-
zation
Nasolacrimal drainage system imaging Direct instillation
Sodium pertechnetate la- Diagnostic: Determn of red blood cell i.v.
beled red blood cells volume, short-term survival studies
In vitro compatibility studies In vitro
Tc-albumin Diagnostic: Blood pool imaging; cardio- i.v.
vascular studies; placenta localiza-
tion; determn of blood or plasma vol-
umes
Tc-albumin (aggregated) Diagnostic: Pulmonary perfusion imag- i.v.
ing
Tc-albumin (microag- Diagnostic: Liver imaging i.v.
gregated)
Tc-apcitide Diagnostic: Acute venous thrombosis i.v.
imaging
Tc-arcitumomab Diagnostic: Tumor detection for colo- i.v.
rectal cancer
Tc-bicisate Diagnostic: Brain imaging i.v.
Tc-butedronate (DPD) Diagnostic: Brain imaging i.v.
Tc-depreotide Diagnostic: Tumor detection for lung i.v.
cancer
Tc-disofenin (DISIDA) Diagnostic: Hepatobiliary imaging i.v.
Tc-etidronate (EHDP) Diagnostic: Bone imaging i.v.
Tc-exametazine (HM- Diagnostic: Cerebral perfusion imaging i.v.
PAO)
Tc-gluceptate Diagnostic: Brain imaging; renal imag- i.v.
ing; assess renal and brain perfusion
Tc-labeled red blood Diagnostic: Determn of red cell volume; i.v.
cells short-term red cell survival studies
Tc-lidofenin (HIDA) Diagnostic: Hepatobiliary imaging i.v.
Tc-mebrofenin Diagnostic: Hepatobiliary imaging i.v.
Tc-medronate (MDP) Diagnostic: Bone imaging i.v.
Tc-mertiatide (MAG3) Diagnostic: Renal imaging i.v.
Tc-oxidronate (HDP) Diagnostic: Bone imaging i.v.
Tc-pentetate (DTPA) Diagnostic: Brain imaging; renal imag- i.v.
ing; assess renal and brain perfusion;
estimate glomerular filtration rate
Lung ventilation studies Inhalation
Tc-polyphosphates Diagnostic: Bone imaging; myocardial i.v.
imaging; blood pool imaging; detec-
tion of gastrointestinal bleeding
40270 -- Merck BATCH RIGHT
Radioactive Isotopes Used in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy (Continued)
Name Principal Mode
and Nuclear Form Use of
Symbol Properties Administration
Technetium Tc-pyrophosphate Diagnostic: Bone imaging; cardiac im- i.v.
99m
Tc aging; blood pool imaging; detection
(Cont d) of gastrointestinal bleeding
Tc-sestamibi Diagnostic: Myocardial perfusion imag- i.v.
(HEXAMIBI) ing
Tc-succimer Diagnostic: Renal imaging i.v.
Tc-sulesomab Diagnostic: Detection of infections and i.v.
inflammation
Tc-sulfur colloid Diagnostic: Liver, spleen and bone mar- i.v.
row imaging
Esophageal transit studies; gastro- Orally
esophageal reflux scintigraphy; de-
termn of pulmonary aspiration of
gastric contents; detection of intrapul-
monary and lower gastrointestinal
bleeding
Lung ventilation imaging Inhalation
Tc-teboroxime Diagnostic: Myocardial perfusion imag- i.v.
ing
Tc-tetrofosmin Diagnostic: Myocardial perfusion imag- i.v.
ing
Thallium Half-life 3.046d Thallous chloride Diagnostic: Myocardial perfusion imag- i.v.
201
Tl K; (0.135, 0.167) ing; localization of sites of parathy-
roid hyperactivity
Xenon Half-life 5.245d Gas Diagnostic: Pulmonary perfusion imag- Inhalation
133
Xe (0.346) ing; cerebral blood flow; lung ventila-
(0.081) tion studies
Gas in saline solution Diagnostic: Pulmonary perfusion imag- Intra-arterial or in-
ing; regional blood flow; lung ventila- tramuscular in-
tion studies jection
127
Xe Half-life 36.41d Gas Diagnostic: Pulmonary perfusion imag- Inhalation
K; (0.172, 0.203) ing; lung ventilation studies
Ytterbium Half-life 32.022d Yb-pentetate (DTPA) Diagnostic: Cisternography; brain scan Intrathecal instilla-
169
Yb K; (0.063, 0.100, tion or i.v.
0.313, 0.177,
0.198, 0.308)
Yttrium Half-life 2.671d Y-Ibritumomab tiuxetan Therapeutic: Antineoplastic (radiation i.v.
90
Y (2.288) source) in treatment of non-Hodg-
(2.186) kin s lymphoma
References
1. S. Baum, R. Bramlet, Basic Nuclear Medicine (Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, 1975).
2. C. Behrns et al., Atomic Medicine (Williams Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 5th ed., 1969).
3. H. M. Chilton, R. L. Witcofski, Nuclear Pharmacy (Lea Febiger, Philadelphia, 1986).
4. CRC Handbook of Radioactive Nuclides, Y. Wang, Ed. (Chemical Rubber Co., Cleveland, Ohio, 1969).
5. Diagnostic and Investigational Uses of Radiolabeled Blood Elements, R. J. Davey, M. E. Wallace, Eds. (Am. Assoc. of
Blood Banks, Arlington, Va., 1987).
6. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia, J. E. F. Reynolds, Ed. (Pharmaceutical Press, London, 29th ed., 1989) pp. 1377-1382.
7. Physician s Desk Reference for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, L. M. Freeman, M. D. Blaufox, Editorial Consultants
(Medical Economics Co., Oradell, N.J., 4th ed., 1974/75, 5th ed., 1975/76).
8. Remington s Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. R. Gennaro, Ed. (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 17th ed., 1985) pp. 471-499.
9. D. P. Swanson et al., Pharmaceuticals in Medical Imaging (Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1990).
Notes:
1. The following abbreviations for time units are used: y years, d days, h hours, min minutes, s seconds.
2. The column for Principal Nuclear Properties lists the principal modes of disintegration and energies of the radiations in mil-
lion electronvolts (MeV) for the individual isotopes. Symbols used to represent the various modes of decay are: alpha
particle emission, beta particle, positron, gamma ray, K electron capture.