Experience with Technetium-99m Albumin Colloid Kit for Reticuloendothelial System Imaging

Abstract

The /sup 99m/Tc labeled albumin colloid has been evaluated regarding its particle size, both in vitro and in vivo stability, blood clearance, and efficacy in reticuloendothelial system imaging. The labeling efficiency was always > 99%. The labeled colloid remained stable both in vitro and in vivo for up to 24 hr. The blood clearance curve from four patients had two components: one with a T/sub 1/2/ of 2.48 +/- 0.37 min and the other with a T/sub 1/2/ of 271 +/- 109 min. Images of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow with /sup 99m/Tc-albumin colloid and /sup 99m/Tc-sulfur colloid showed a similar distribution pattern except that slightly higher splenic uptake relative to the liver was observed with the former. However, /sup 99m/Tc-albumin colloid has the advantage of easy preparation over /sup 99m/Tc-sulfur colloid.