Imaging: radioisotope imaging of bone.

Isotope bone scanning is here to stay: it is noninvasive, easy to perform, and economical (6 pounds per scan). The low radiation dose delivered to patients (0.03 rad/mCi to the skeleton) and the high sensitivity (less than 4 per cent of overall false positives) underline the value of this test as a screening procedure. When included in the patient's management protocol it reduces bed-occupancy time, changes the therapeutic approach to several illnesses, and substantiates general hopes that early diagnosis is the basis for progress in the treatment of benign or malignant disease.