Indium-111

Indium-111 (111In) is a radioisotope of indium that is used in nuclear medicine for imaging and therapy. It decays by electron capture to cadmium-111, with a half-life of 2.8 days.

Production

Indium-111 is produced in a nuclear reactor by the irradiation of cadmium. The cadmium isotope cadmium-113 absorbs a neutron and transforms into cadmium-114, which then undergoes beta decay to form indium-111.

Medical uses

Indium-111 is used in nuclear medicine for several purposes. It is used in radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of the heart, lungs, and infections. It is also used for radiolabeling of white blood cells for detection of infection and inflammation.

Safety

As a radioisotope, indium-111 poses a risk of radiation exposure. However, the risk is considered low due to its short half-life and the fact that it decays by electron capture, which results in low-energy gamma rays.

See also

• Nuclear medicine
• Radioisotope
• Radiopharmaceutical
• Radiation therapy