Kinetics and imaging characteristics of 99mTC-labled complexes used for bone imaging.

Activity levels of 99TC-labeled compounds, 18F, and 85Sr were obtained at 1, 3, and 5 hr. postinjection in normal and healing fractured bone and in soft-tissue rat specimens. Serial diagnostic bone images and blood and urine kinetics were obtained in patients with each of the TC-labeled compounds. Computer-processed images were used to evaluate in vivo kinetics. 99mTC pyrophosphate provides the best overall characteristics for bone imaging. Improved quality and bioassay procedures are required, however, before any one agent can be designated the radiopharmaceutical of choice for diagnostic bone imaging.