What is the purpose of wrapping the legs with elastic bandages before performing a radionuclide venogram with 99mTc MAA?

The purpose of wrapping the legs with elastic bandages before performing a radionuclide venogram with technetium-99m-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc MAA) is to suppress superficial circulation. This technique is used to enhance visualization of the venous structures of interest by minimizing the flow through the superficial veins. When the superficial venous system is compressed, the blood is diverted to the deeper veins, which are the primary focus during a venogram.

By suppressing the superficial circulation, the procedure can achieve a clearer imaging of the deep venous system, allowing for a more accurate assessment of any venous abnormalities or conditions such as deep vein thrombosis. This approach helps to ensure that the radioactivity from the tracer is concentrated in the deeper venous channels that are being evaluated, which optimally utilizes the properties of 99mTc MAA for imaging.

Other options, while potentially relevant to venous studies, do not directly align with the primary objective of leg wrapping prior to the radionuclide venogram in this context.