technetium tc-99m exametazime

Technetium-99m HMPAO-labeled leukocytes is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical agent used in nuclear medicine imaging to localize sites of infection and inflammation. The preparation involves labeling a patient's own leukocytes (white blood cells) ex vivo with technetium-99m exametazime (HMPAO). Exametazime is a lipophilic chelating agent that passively diffuses across the leukocyte cell membrane; once inside, it is converted into a hydrophilic form that becomes trapped intracellularly. After intravenous re-injection, these radiolabeled leukocytes migrate to areas of active leukocyte infiltration. The agent is primarily indicated for the detection of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), osteomyelitis, intra-abdominal infections, and soft tissue sepsis. Imaging is typically performed using a gamma camera or SPECT, utilizing the 140 keV gamma photon emission and 6-hour physical half-life of the technetium-99m isotope.

Brand names

Ceretec

Other names

technetium-99m HMPAO-labeled leukocytestechnetium99m HMPAO-labeled leukocytestechnetium 99m HMPAO-labeled leukocytes99mTc-WBC99mTc-labeled white blood cellstechnetium Tc-99m labeled leukocytesexametazime