^99mTc-Human Albumin Microspheres (HAM) for Measuring the Rate of Gastric Emptying

Abstract

The radiopharmaceutical HAM (99mTc-human albumin microspheres) was used to measure gastric emptying time in a series of 29 patients (normal, 9; duodenal ulcer, 7; gastric ulcer, 7; and gastric carcinoma, 6). The mean emptying rate in each group of patients was significantly different, as was the pattern of emptying. No overlap occurred in the T-50% results for one standard deviation. The physical properties of 99mTc-HAM permit the administration of relatively large amounts of the radionuclide, creating a high photon flux which results in excellent scintillation camera images. This technique is reproducible, and tests show less than 2% absorption of the radionuclide.