technetium Tc 99m medronate

Technetium Tc 99m medronate, commonly known as 99mTc-MDP, is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical used in bone scintigraphy (bone scans) to visualize skeletal pathology. It consists of the gamma-emitting radionuclide technetium-99m complexed with medronic acid (methyl diphosphonate). Following intravenous administration, the complex localizes to the skeletal system by adsorbing onto hydroxyapatite crystals in the bone matrix. The degree of uptake is proportional to local blood flow and osteoblastic activity, making it highly sensitive for detecting areas of increased bone turnover associated with conditions such as primary bone tumors, skeletal metastases, and fractures. In clinical research at Stanford University, 99mTc-MDP bone scans serve as the standard-of-care diagnostic comparator for evaluating the accuracy of hybrid imaging modalities like 18F-NaF/18F-FDG PET/MRI in patients with advanced breast and prostate cancer.

Brand names

TechneScan MDPMDP-25MDP25MDP 25Draximage MDP

Other names

99mTc-methyl diphosphonateTechnetium-99m methyl diphosphonateTechnetium99m methyl diphosphonateTechnetium 99m methyl diphosphonateMedronate technetium Tc-99m