[Radiation protection of the patient in nuclear medicine]

More emphasis should be put on radiation protection since the use of radioisotope- and X-ray procedures for the patient evaluation is steadily increasing. In adults carcinogenesis is the major risk factor. Because of the high sensitivity of the fetus to ionizing radiation special precautions are necessary for the use of radioisotopes in females in the reproductive age. Careful consideration of the benefit of investigations with radioisotopes is considered as the most effective radiation protection measurement.