The uses and limitations of radioisotopes in the investigation of gastrointestinal diseases.

Advances in the physical and biological sciences have in recent years led to a rapidly increasing use of radioactive agents in clinical medicine. The distinctive properties of these agents have made them invaluable for a large variety of unique in vivo and in vitro diagnostic tests. In order to help the clinician employ such tests productively and realistically, we have attempted to review the present status of radiosotopes with regard to gastrointestinal diseases. Emphasis has been placed not only on their value but also on their limitations; the degree of safety for in vivo application has also been briefly considered.