X-ray fluorescence technique for in vivo analysis of natural and administered trace elements

During recent years there has been a growing interest to use X-ray fluorescence techniques for the in vivo measurements of trace elements (Pb, Cd, and Hg) in the body. A variety of radionuclide and X-ray sources as well as irradiation and detection geometries have been used. In practically all in vivo situations one has to measure close to the detection limit of the technique which means that there is a real need to optimize and continuously improve the technique. The adsorbed dose to the patient during a typical measurement which lasts 20-40 minutes is normally very low. The paper will briefly review the technique and applications used for in vivo studies in man and finally present the authors recent data from in vivo measurements of platinum following cisplatin therapy