¹⁸F-fluoride for bone imaging

Abstract

This report summarizes 10 yr of experience with ¹⁸F for bone scanning. The fluoride ion is rapidly taken up by an exchange process with bone which is a function of blood flow and exposure of bone crystal surface. ¹⁸F results in a lower radiation dose to bone than ⁸⁵Sr under similar circumstances. The photon energy is not as desirable as that of ^87mSr. The radionuclide, which may be given orally, is rapidly cleared from the blood, providing the advantage of an optimal scanning time at 2-4 hr after administration, at which time little soft-tissue background is seen. Among 239 patients followed. 80% of the cases were diagnosed correctly both by roentgenography and scanning. Where these two procedures disagreed, the scan was correct three times as often as the X ray.