Which radiopharmaceutical is used for bone imaging?

The radiopharmaceutical used for bone imaging is technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (Tc99m-MDP). This compound specifically localizes to areas of increased bone metabolism or turnover, making it highly effective for assessing conditions such as metastatic bone disease, osteomyelitis, and fractures.

Tc99m-MDP works by chemically binding to the hydroxyapatite crystals in bone, which allows for visualization of the skeleton on imaging studies. The biodistribution of this agent enables the evaluation of both the structure and function of bones, providing valuable information during clinical assessments.

In contrast, the other radiopharmaceuticals listed do not have the same specific application for bone imaging. I-131 is primarily used for thyroid imaging and treatment of thyroid disorders, Thallium-201 is utilized in myocardial perfusion imaging, and I-123 is often used in thyroid scans and neuroendocrine tumor imaging. Thus, their mechanisms and localization do not align with the requirements for effective bone imaging.