technetium Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate

Technetium Tc‑99m sodium pertechnetate is a radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent used in nuclear medicine for imaging various organs and tissues. It consists of the metastable isotope technetium‑99m complexed as the pertechnetate anion (TcO₄⁻), which mimics iodide in biological systems. After intravenous or local administration, it distributes primarily to the thyroid gland, salivary glands, gastric mucosa, choroid plexus, and urinary bladder. Its mechanism relies on gamma-ray emission from decay of technetium‑99m (half-life ~6 hours), enabling detection by gamma cameras during single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or planar scintigraphy. It is widely used for thyroid imaging and function studies, salivary gland imaging, brain perfusion studies (including assessment of brain death), urinary bladder imaging for vesicoureteral reflux detection, and nasolacrimal drainage system evaluation. The drug is supplied via generators that elute the short-lived isotope from molybdenum‑99 parent nuclide shortly before use[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Brand names

DrytecTechneLitePertscan-99mPertscan99mPertscan 99m

Other names

technetium Tc 99m sodium pertechnetatesodium pertechnetate Tc 99m injectionsodium pertechnetate (Na[99m]TcO4)technetium Tc 99m O(4)technetium Tc 99m pertechnetate