Technegas Might Revolutionize Lung Ventilation Imaging

Background: By heating liquid 99m Tc in a specialized generator, the radioactive tracer, Technegas, can be produced. The tiny nanoparticles that are obtained can penetrate the lungs similar to a gas so that high-quality ventilation lung imaging can be performed. Objective: To describe how Technegas has been developed, how it is administered, and its use for lung imaging in the clinical setting. Methods: The production and administration of Technegas consists of 3 stages. The first stage is the simmer stage, when the liquid radiotracer evaporates on exposure to the carbon crucible at about 70°C. The second stage is the burn stage, when the evaporated liquid is heated in an argon atmosphere producing the aerosolized Technegas using about 2750°C. The third stage is the administration stage, when the Technegas is inhaled by the patient. About 6 to 24 mCi 99m Tc pertechnetate in a 0.1 to 0.14 mL volume is initially used, which produces an approximate 40% yield of Technegas. The de more...