title: [Comparative studies on the radioactivity of bone cements containing x-ray contrast media and of the contrast media].
abstract: Various PMMA bone cements containing zirconium oxide (ZrO2) as an X-ray contrast medium and zirconium oxides of several manufacturers were tested for their radioactivity by means of a gamma spectrometer. All the bone cements tested (Implast, Palacos R, and Sulfix-6) showed a certain degree of radioactivity. The radiation source in the bone cement is the added zirconium oxide, which is polluted by radioactive elements. The examination of various zirconium oxides showed some high radioactive emissions. The risk of radiation-induced cancer seems to be small, because the cements are normally implanted in humans older than 60 years. In view of the fact that these X-ray contrast media remain in the body for decades as components of the bone cement, the radioactive zirconium oxides should be replaced by high-purity radiation-free zirconium oxide or barium sulphate as soon as possible.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Mainz.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hopf
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Glöbel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hopf
mesh_terms: D001843:Bone Cements; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; D011851:Radioactivity; D012306:Risk; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D003287:Contrast Media; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide
vernacular_title: Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Radioaktivität von Knochenzementen und der darin enthaltenen Röntgenkontrastmittel.