5 Interesting Facts About Technetium-99m (Tc-99m)

You could go your whole life without hearing those words, but bear with me, and you will be surprised.

Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) is a radioactive isotope used extensively in medical imaging.

Medical Imaging by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Here are five interesting facts about this versatile substance that you probably weren’t aware of:

1. Tc-99m is produced from a parent isotope, molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is itself produced in nuclear reactors. Mo-99 has a half-life of only 66 hours, which means it must be transported quickly to medical facilities for use in producing Tc-99m.
2. Tc-99m emits gamma radiation, which can be detected by specialised cameras called gamma cameras. When injected into the body, Tc-99m can be used to produce detailed images of organs and tissues, allowing doctors to diagnose and monitor a wide range of medical conditions.
3. Tc-99m has a short half-life of only 6 hours, which means it decays quickly and does not remain in the body for long. This makes it ideal for medical imaging, as it minimises radiation exposure to patients.
4. Tc-99m is used in a variety of imaging procedures, including bone scans, cardiac stress tests, and imaging of the brain, liver, lungs, and kidneys. It can also be used to…