[Quantitative whole-body bone scintigraphy. II. Pharmacokinetics of osteotropic radiopharmaceuticals (author's transl)].

85Sr, 99mTc-Sn-pyrophosphate and 99mTc-Sn-methylene-diphosphonate, the most important agents for skeletal imaging, are compared with each other by calculation of the plasma clearance and the urinary excretion and by a series of quantitative whole-body scans. 85Sr the distribution volume in equilibrium is the largest, shifting of activity is demonstrable for several days after injection. 99mTc-Sn-MDP is excreted most quickly, equilibrium is reached early. There is no significant difference in skeletal uptake between the phosphate complexes. The distribution however is different: 85Sr is localized to a greater extent in the extremities, the phosphate complexes more in the trunk, 99mTc-Sn-MDP and 85Sr nearer the joints than 99mTc-Sn-pyrophosphate.