Radioisotope techniques

A review is given of some of the possible complications of using radiopharmaceuticals which may affect the well-being of patients. These include 1) adverse reactions to radiopharmaceuticals, 2) alterations in radiopharmaceutical biodistributions due to, for example, drugs, surgery and therapeutic irradiation, 3) excretion of radiopharmaceuticals in breast milk, 4) radiopharmaceutical quality, 5) diagnostic errors and 6) radiation hazards associated with the administration of radiopharmaceuticals. (U.K.)