Assay for Molybdenum-99 breakthrough in PAKGEN, PINSTECH generators: a clinical audit at Akuh, Karachi

ABSTRACT

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 [99] Mo in an eluate is 0.15 uCi of [99] Mo / mCi of [99m]Tc. The purpose of this clinical audit was to measure the Mo-99 concentration in eluate of PAKGEN [[99] Mo-[99m]Tc generator] before administering to patients as a part of Good Medical Practice [GMP]. This clinical audit was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from January to May 2012 and during this period we evaluated 44 [99] Mo-[99m] Tc generators [PAKGEN]. In 369 elutions during this audit period, we did not find any evidence of [99] Mo breakthrough. This clinical audit proves that PAKGEN generators supplied by IPD, PINSTECH, Islamabad had good performance and proved generally to be a reliable source of [99m] Tc-pertechnetate. The application was safe and fulfilled the requirements for good medical practice