What type of imaging is performed using heat damaged Tc RBCs?

• A. Brain imaging
• B. Bone imaging
• C. Spleen imaging
• D. Chest imaging

Answer: (C)

Heat damaged technetium-labeled red blood cells (RBCs) are primarily used for imaging the spleen. This is because the spleen plays a significant role in filtering the blood and removing damaged or abnormal red blood cells. When technetium-labeled RBCs are subjected to heat damage, they are recognized and sequestered by the spleen due to their altered morphology and properties. As a result, imaging these damaged RBCs allows for visualization of spleen function and structure, which is crucial for diagnosing various conditions, including splenic dysfunction and anatomical abnormalities.

In the context of other imaging areas, brain imaging typically utilizes different tracers that can cross the blood-brain barrier, while bone imaging often employs specific radiopharmaceuticals designed to identify bone metabolism or lesions. Chest imaging usually focuses on the lungs and cardiac structures and does not involve the assessment of RBC integrity in this way. Hence, the use of heat damaged Tc RBCs specifically targets the spleen, making it the correct choice for this question.