Dysprosium-165

Dysprosium-165 (Dy-165) is a radioisotope of the chemical element dysprosium, which is a member of the lanthanide series. Dy-165 is used in various medical applications, particularly in the field of radiation therapy.

Properties

Dysprosium-165 has a half-life of approximately 2.33 hours. It decays by electron capture to holmium-165, emitting gamma radiation with a primary energy of 95 keV. This makes it suitable for use in medical imaging and therapy.

Medical Applications

Dysprosium-165 is used in the form of Dysprosium-165 Hydroxide Microspheres for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The microspheres are injected into the synovial cavity of the affected joints, where they deliver localized radiation to the inflamed tissues. This helps to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

Dy-165 is also used in brachytherapy, a form of radiation therapy where radioactive sources are placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment. Dysprosium-165 is particularly useful in this context due to its short half-life and the type of radiation it emits.

Production

Dysprosium-165 is typically produced by neutron irradiation of dysprosium-164 in a nuclear reactor. The Dy-164 absorbs a neutron to become Dy-165, which can then be extracted and purified for medical use.

Safety

As with all radioactive materials, handling of Dy-165 requires appropriate safety measures. These include the use of lead shielding to protect against gamma radiation, and careful handling to avoid contamination.

See Also

• Radioisotope
• Radiation therapy
• Brachytherapy
• Rheumatoid arthritis