Absolute quantitation of radiotracer uptake in the lungs using a gamma camera.

A transmission-emission method for the absolute quantitation of Tc-99m in the lungs with a computerized gamma camera is described. The method requires no measurements of the linear attenuation coefficients of the lung and chest wall, or of their thickness. It yields results of acceptable accuracy for everyday clinical use and offers the great advantage of avoiding the use of a phantom. The method could be extended for the absolute quantification of Tc-99m agents in soft tissue and bone with errors of less than 10%.