Rapid miniaturized chromatography for Tc-99m IDA agents: comparison with gel chromatography

Miniaturized chromatography systems for determining free pertechnetate and hydrolyzed reduced 99mTc levels in commercial 99mTc-labeled iminodiacetate (IDA) hepatobiliary radiopharmaceuticals were evaluated and the results compared with gel chromatography column scanning (GCS). Commercial IDA agents were evaluated including 2,6-dimethyl IDA, p-isopropyl IDA, p-butyl IDA, and 2,6-diisopropyl IDA. Of all the chromatography systems evaluated, only Gelman ITLC-SA with 20% NaCl and Gelman ITLC-SG with distilled water correlated with GCS in evaluating free pertechnetate and hydrolyzed reduced 99mTc levels for all IDA radiopharmaceuticals. The miniaturized chromatography procedure, as outlined, is rapid, taking less than 4 min, and can easily be incorporated into the daily quality control program in any nuclear medicine facility.