Detection of Tc-99m labelled albumin particles in the Fallopian tubes after intraperitoneal deposition

To study the Fallopian tube uptake of intra-abdominal albumin particles.

Six healthy women volunteered for ultrasound guided deposition of Tc-99m labelled albumin particles into the pouch of Douglas, before undergoing sterilisation by salpingectomy.

On gamma camera images radioactivity spread evenly over the parietal peritoneum. Autoradiography of the Fallopian tubes showed radioactive "hot spots" on the inner tubal surface. A rapid increase in blood radioactivity stabilised after 2-3 h while radioactivity remained high in the peritoneal cavity. Cervical mucus showed a significant radioactivity.

Autoradiography strongly indicated that Tc-99m labelled particles deposited into the pouch of Douglas were transported to the Fallopian tubes. The small uptake of radioactivity identified in blood was most likely due to a rapid diffusion of free Tc-99m pertechnetate from the peritoneal cavity. The radioactivity identified in cervical mucus could be pertechnetate or labelled albumin particles or a combination of both. Future development of the present technique may be used for fertility investigation.