BACKGROUND: Screening for radioactive material at borders may become more widely introduced in order to prevent illegal transport. All the alarms at Vienna airport so far have been due to recent applications of radionuclides for medical reasons. METHODS: We report a patient who unexpectedly experienced this problem after undergoing radioiodine therapy. RESULTS: We propose to inform patients routinely about this issue and to provide them with a certificate containing details of the administered radionuclide. CONCLUSION: This could reduce problems for authorities, patients and institutions. This problem may not have arisen if the authorities had informed the appropriate groups before starting the security procedure.
BACKGROUND: Screening for radioactive material at borders may become more widely introduced in order to prevent illegal transport. All the alarms at Vienna airport so far have been due to recent applications of radionuclides for medical reasons. METHODS: We report a patient who unexpectedly experienced this problem after undergoing radioiodine therapy. RESULTS: We propose to inform patients routinely about this issue and to provide them with a certificate containing details of the administered radionuclide. CONCLUSION: This could reduce problems for authorities, patients and institutions. This problem may not have arisen if the authorities had informed the appropriate groups before starting the security procedure.