Radiolabeled polyvinyl alcohol particles: a potential agent to monitor embolization procedures

Polyvinyl alcohol sponge (PVA) is a widely used angiographic embolic agent. The radiolabeling of PVA can accurately identify particle localization and may decrease the possibility of patient morbidity from embolization to distal sites. We incorporated 99mTc sulfur colloid (SC) into PVA by heating. Animal experiments demonstrated the in vivo stability of the 99mTc SC-PVA complex and the efficacy of external imaging. 99mTc SC-PVA biodistribution data and external NaI(T1) scintillation probe counts were performed, to assess anatomic localization. Embolization with this complex was performed in a patient.