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Medical applications of X-ray fluorescence for trace element research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2012

Jimmy Börjesson  and
Sören Mattsson
Jimmy Börjesson
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, County Hospital, SE-301 85 Halmstad, Sweden
Sören Mattsson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Physics, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
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Abstract

Techniques for estimation of element levels directly in humans (noninvasive in vivo) or in samples (in vitro) from humans are reviewed. Toxic, nonessential, trace elements may cause temporary or permanent damage to various organs and tissues in humans. There is thus a need to control the concentrations. Knowledge of the relations between toxic effects and element concentration may be extracted from measurements in humans as well as in samples from humans and her environment. Applications traditionally include occupationally exposed subjects, but an increasing research area is studies of members of the general population and of patients undergoing therapy for malignant and other diseases. Most in vivo XRF studies deal with lead in bone and cadmium in kidneys. For retired lead workers, a clear association has been demonstrated between bone lead and blood lead, due to endogenous lead excretion from the skeleton. A study of mercury in vivo showed that the technique is capable of detecting mercury in heavily exposed worker’s kidneys. In vivo XRF in cancer and rheumatology patients has helped to understand how platinum and gold are retained in the human body. The newest in vivo applications include zinc in prostate gland and arsenic in skin.

Keywords

X-ray fluorescencein vivocadmiumleadmercuryiodine
Type
X-Ray Fluorescence
Information
Powder Diffraction , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , June 2007 , pp. 130 - 137
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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