Tantalum-178-labeled agents for lung and liver imaging.

Despite its 9.3-min half-life, Ta-178 can be used to produce radiopharmaceuticals for lung and liver imaging. A variety of human serum albumin microspheres and other particulate radiopharmaceuticals were labeled with Ta-178. A period of approximately 10 min was required for their preparation and administration to rats. Extrapolation to the clinical situation suggests that imaging could take place after one half-life of the nuclide has elapsed. We found that satisfactory imaging is possible using Ta-178 radiopharmaceuticals with the Anger camera and a pinhole collimator. Since short imaging times, high spatial resolution, and low patient doses are reasonable objectives in pediatric scintigraphy, these new radiotracers may prove useful for lung and liver imaging in children.