Current clinical use of radioisotopes in the study of platelet kinetics

Radioisotopic study of platelet kinetics can provide a preliminary orientation in the diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. A study of the platelet kinetics in thrombocytopenic and normal subjects using the Cr51 isologous platelet labelling technique and subsequent in vivo injection of the labelled platelets was conducted. The results obtained confirm the reliability and usefulness of the technique. The identification of the limitations involved and the recognition of their significance in processing data allows the hematologist and the general practitioner to allow the right amount of room for the study of platelet kinetics in the diagnosis of thrombocytopenia.