Comparative study of 111In and 59Fe bone marrow scanning.

The aim of this work is to examine the relative merits of 59Fe and 111In scanning in estimating the functional value of the various erythropoietic areas and in appraising bone marrow distribution and extension. At first we studied a group of patients with heterogeneous distribution of bone marrow secondary to irradiation, ferrokinetics serving a reference for the comparison of 111In and 59Fe scanning. The functional value fo 59Fe scanning was thus proved, in contrast to 111In scanning which was erroneous for 13 of the 29 bone marrow areas studied. A further study of patients presenting polycythemia vera or anemia with 111In demonstrated in some cases false distribution and bone marrow extension. Furthermore, 59Fe scanning permitted evaluation of the efficiency of erythropoiesis and the existence of extramedullary erythropoiesis. Review of the literature revealed that with the activity used there was no dosimetric advantage of 111In over 59Fe.