Previous optimistic reports led us to undertake a study to determine the value of 99Tcm-sucralphate scintigraphy in the assessment of localization and extent of active inflammatory bowel disease. Eight patients were studied; four had Crohn's disease (three small bowel and one colon localization) and four patients had ulcerative colitis. The results obtained by scintigraphy were compared with those obtained by diagnostic radiology and/or endoscopy. In five patients indium-111 granulocyte scintigraphy was also performed. 99Tcm-sucralphate scans showed total discrepancy with standard investigations in four patients and partial discrepancy in the other four. Furthermore, it was difficult from the images to decide whether the radiolabelled sucralphate indicated true inflammation or normal distribution of the radiopharmaceutical. Patient acceptability was very low due to frequent scanning times and the recommended purgation which was not well tolerated and is contraindicated in severely ill patients. We conclude that this technique is not a good screening test for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease and we have, therefore, discontinued the study.