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

Abstract

Objective: To study the Fallopian tube uptake of intra-abdominal albumin particles. Study design: Six healthy women volunteered for ultrasound guided deposition of Tc-99m labelled albumin particles into the pouch of Douglas, before undergoing sterilisation by salpingectomy. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.