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Technetium-99m decays by a process called isomeric transition, a process in which 99mTc decays to 99Tc via the release of gamma rays and low energy electrons. Since there is no high energy beta emission the radiation dose to the patient is low.Technetium-99m decays by a process called isomeric transition, a process in which 99mTc decays to 99Tc via the release of gamma rays and low energy electrons. Since there is no high energy beta emission the radiation dose to the patient is low.

Why is technetium so radioactive?

Technetium can only be produced artificially because most forms or isotopes of it (atoms of the same chemical element with different numbers of neutrons) have an excess of neutrons, making it very unstable.

What does Tc-99 decay into?

ruthenium-99 Technetium-99 (99Tc) is an isotope of technetium which decays with a half-life of 211,000 years to stable ruthenium-99, emitting beta particles, but no gamma rays.

What type of radiation does technetium-99m emit?

gamma-ray emission Technetium-99m has a photopeak of gamma-ray emission of 140.5 keV, making it a very minimal risk of toxicity. [3] The short six-hour half-life and rapid excretion from the body limit toxic effects and give enough time to perform its diagnostic imaging, all while limiting radiation exposure to the patient.

What does technetium decay into?

ruthenium-98 Technetium's most stable isotope, technetium-98, has a half-life of about 4,200,000 years. It decays into ruthenium-98 through beta decay.

What happens when technetium 99m enters the body?

Technetium-99 can pose a health risk when it enters the body. Once in the human body, Tc-99 concentrates in the thyroid gland and the gastrointestinal tract. However, the body constantly gets rid of Tc-99 in feces.

How is technetium 99m produced in a nuclear reactor?

Technetium -99m is produced by bombarding molybdenum 98Mo with neutrons. The resultant 99Mo decays with a half-life of 66 hours to the metastable state of Tc . This process permits the production of 99mTc for medical purposes.

How does molybdenum 99 decay to technetium 99?

Mo-99 decays by emitting a beta particle (an electron). About 88 percent of the decays (red line) produce Tc-99m, which subsequently decays to the ground state, Tc-99g, by emitting a gamma ray.

How does Tc-99m Show cardiac damage?

Tc-99m can be used to look at cardiac damage. The isotope flows in the blood stream; if there is less blood flow in the heart, there will be less isotope concentrated in the heart muscle. Similar information can be obtained for blood flow in the brain.

How does molybdenum decay to technetium?

Almost all of the Tc-99m used in nuclear medicine today is produced by radioactive decay of Mo-99. Mo-99 decays with about a 66-hour half-life by emitting a beta particle. About 88 percent of the decays produce Tc-99m via the pathway depicted in Figure 2.1.