Iodine-131 Clearance-rates as an Indication of the Blood Supply of Bone

Abstract

WE have described¹ the use of sodium-24 clearance studies in the experimental and clinical determination of bone vascularity. Sodium-24 has a half-life of only 15.06 hr. and in the United States is only avail-from Oakridge National Laboratory on one day of each week. Thus it is difficult to use it for clinical investigation if more than three half-lives have transpired since its removal from the pile. This led us to search for an isotope with a longer half-life that could be used for clearance studies. Iodine-131 is readily available in most large hospitals, where it is used for the investigation and treatment of thyroid diseases. The half-life of iodine-131 being 8.0 days, it is more suitable for clinical use throughout the week than is the short-lived sodium-24.