The use of 99Tc-pyrophosphate for imaging and measuring of calcification caused by implanted polymers

Pyrophosphate labeled with 99Tc was evaluated as an indicator of the calcification which occurs after implantation of polymeric materials in rats. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), both porous and homogeneous, had been implanted. 99Tc pyrophosphate was applied intravenously to rats in intervals from 14 days to 15 months. Scintigraphy, x-ray examination, and histology were carried out. The ratio of specific activity in the capsule around the implant to specific activity in the reference tissue was determined. The cumulation of activity was parallel with the development of calcification as revealed by histology. The method can be used not only in the screening test of new polymeric materials, but also in a quantitative determination of the degree of calcification in general.