Which imaging techniques commonly utilize Tc-99m?

• A. CT and MRI
• B. Ultrasound and X-ray
• C. SPECT and planar imaging
• D. Fluoroscopy and PET

Answer: (C)

Tc-99m, or Technetium-99m, is widely utilized in nuclear medicine for its favorable properties, particularly its ideal half-life of about 6 hours and its gamma photon emission at 140 keV. This makes it highly suitable for various imaging techniques that capture functional information about organs and tissues.

SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) is a nuclear imaging technique that directly uses radionuclides like Tc-99m. It provides three-dimensional images of the distribution of the tracer in the body, allowing for dynamic imaging and functional assessments of organs, such as the heart, brain, and bones.

Planar imaging is another method frequently used with Tc-99m. It involves capturing two-dimensional images of the distribution of the radiopharmaceuticals in the body. This technique is simpler than SPECT but provides less detailed information about the three-dimensional structure.

Combined, these techniques leverage the unique properties of Tc-99m to enable effective visualization and diagnosis in a variety of clinical contexts, making them the appropriate imaging methods that utilize this radiopharmaceutical.