Abstract

Background: Nuclear medicine is a specialized field that employs radioisotopes for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Technetium-99m (Tc-99m), widely utilized in nuclear imaging, is eluted from a molybdenum generator. During this elution process, molybdenum (Mo) can occasionally contaminate the Tc-99m, compromising image quality and increasing patient radiation dose. The measurement of molybdenum contamination, referred to as the molybdenum breakthrough test (MBT), is critical to ensure safety and compliance with international standards.
Aim and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and report the MBT data collected over 10 years at the Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital, Bannu, to assess adherence to international limits and trends in molybdenum breakthrough.
Methods: MBT data were collected from 5th November 2013 to 30th December 2023 using a dose calibrator (CRC-25R) and standard molybdenum canisters for each elution from molybdenum generators. Data were analyzed using standard statistical methods to determine compliance with the internationally recommended limit of 0.15 µCi of 99Mo/mCi of 99mTc.
Results: The analysis revealed that molybdenum contamination levels consistently remained below the recommended threshold. The mean MBT value was 0.018 ± 0.023 µCi of 99Mo/mCi of 99mTc, with a standard error of the mean of 0.006%.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the molybdenum breakthrough levels at the institute complied with international safety standards over the studied decade, demonstrating a high standard of quality control in generator elution procedures.

Key words: Molybdenum, Technetium-99m, Moly-breakthrough Test, dose calibrator.