99Tcm-DP accumulation in rabbit skull bones after 60Co gamma irradiation

Histology demonstrated new bone formation and bone destruction in rabbit mandibles irradiated with 20 Gy in a single exposure, but no abnormality following 10 Gy in a single exposure. Gamma camera examination of the 99Tcm-DP distribution could not demonstrate any abnormalities, and is concluded not to be effective in demonstrating early radiation injury to bone tissue. Radiation therapy is considered a negligible source of false positive findings in scintigraphy of the facial skeleton.