ASSAY FOR MOLYBDENUM-99 BREAKTHROUGH IN PAKGEN, PINSTECH GENERATORS: A CLINICAL AUDIT AT AKUH, KARACHI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Molybdenum-99 breakthrough is a rare but potential cause of enormous and unjustified radiation exposure to patients and technologist in nuclear medicine. Recommended limit of 99Mo in an eluate is 0.15 uCi of 99Mo / mCi of 99mTc. AIM: The purpose of this clinical audit was to measure the Mo-99 concentration in eluate of PAKGEN (99Mo–99mTc generator) before administering to patients as a part of Good Medical Practice (GMP). METHODS AND RESULTS: This clinical audit was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from January to May 2012 and during this period we evaluated 44 99Mo-99mTc generators (PAKGEN). In 369 elutions during this audit period, we did not find any evidence of 99Mo breakthrough. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical audit proves that PAKGEN generators supplied by IPD, PINSTECH, Islamabad had good performance and proved generally to be a reliable source of 99mTc-pertechnetate. The application was safe and fulfilled the requirements for good medical practice.

Key words: Radionuclide Generator, Molybdenum-99 breakthrough, Good medical practice, eluate