Progress in radiopharmacology 3

Three selected topics: Brain, Kidney and Endocrinology were dealt with in depth by invited speakers together with original work submitted in poster form. The session on renal diseases provided some interesting original data concerning the evaluation of renal circulation using Xenon which was complemented by reviews of the reagents available to study glomerular and tubule function. A comparison of biodistribution data on reagents for scintigraphy led to the conclusion that although Tc DMSA shows the highest degree of concentration in the renal cortex the characteristics of Tc glucoheptonate give a better visualization of the organ. A new reagent Aprotinin was introduced which shows a high affinity for the renal cortex, no liver or spleen uptake and an extremely low urinary excretion. These characteristics may prove to be of great value both in evaluating relative renal function and in the detection of space occupying lesions. The presentations on Brain demonstrated the value of positron emission studies for the elucidation of function. The criteria for the use of Tc99m DMSA labelling kits for cisternography are discussed. The s0206on on Endocrinology includes some new approaches such as thallium uptake in thyroid carcinoma, iodine-131 dosimetry in therapy and the effect of generators on technetium uptake in the thyroid. (Auth.)