technetium-99m
Nuclear medicine tracer
Technetium-99m is a radioactive isotope widely used in medical imaging.
The "m" indicates a metastable state—the isotope decays by emitting gamma rays detectable by scanning equipment, allowing doctors to visualize organs and detect abnormalities.
Its short half-life (about six hours) minimizes radiation exposure to patients.
The scan uses technetium-99m to check blood flow to the heart.
Stable but not permanently
- isomerSame formula, different shape
- gamma-rayHighest-energy electromagnetic wave
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- decayGradual organic breakdown
photon · emission · radioactive · nuclide · radiation · subatomic
Gamma-emitting radiotracer imaging method
- diagnosticTest to identify problems
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- radiopharmaceuticalMedicinal radioactive substance
- injectionSyringe-delivered dose
uptake · biodistribution · dosimetry · radiologist · oncology · neurology · cardiology
metastable
Stable but not permanently
- isomerSame formula, different shape
- gamma-rayHighest-energy electromagnetic wave
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
decay · photon · emission · radioactive · nuclide · radiation · subatomic
SPECT
Gamma-emitting radiotracer imaging method
- diagnosticTest to identify problems
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- radiopharmaceuticalMedicinal radioactive substance
injection · uptake · biodistribution · dosimetry · radiologist · oncology · neurology · cardiology
generator
Electricity-producing machine
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- salineSalt-water solution
sterile · short-lived · on-site · supply-chain · reactor
- Nuclear ImagingPET scan, bone scan, iodine-131, F-18, tumor scan
- radioactivityradioactive decay, radioactive isotopes, radioisotopes, radionuclides, half-life
- Isotope Tracerstracer, radioisotope, isotope, tritium, deuterium
- radiopharmaceuticalsradiopharmaceuticals, radiotracers, radioactive tracers, iodine-131, radionuclides
- radiotracerscarbon-11, radiopharmaceutical, iodine-131, carfentanil, sodium fluoride
- Tracersfluorescein, tritium, carbon-14, iodine-131, radioactive isotopes
technetium-99muranium-238
Predominant uranium isotope
plutonium-239 · carbon-14 · cesium-137 · potassium-40 · uranium