99mTc-DMSA Renal Scan

            Advantages

            This is a noninvasive technique, that gives an excellent visualization of the kidney parenchyma.

            Its performance as diagnostic test is in general better than ultrasound, and other anatomic imaging modalities to detect acute and chronic parenchymal damage due to infections.

            Additionally, it is a quantitative method and can be used to calculate relative global and segmental  function. It is feasible to compare the uptake of each kidney to the total of both organs in percentages. Or to estimate the relative contribution of a half or third of one kidney in regard to one or the two organs.

            It is adequate for monitoring therapy or changes in the parenchyma or relative function.

            Disadvantages

            Radiation dose to the kidney cortex is relatively high and it is a concern especially in children. See Radiation Doses.

            Another one is the limited spatial resolution, proper of the scintigraphic techniques, that precludes the detection of small lesions.

            Likewise, specificity may be a drawback, but this is compensated if the interpretation takes into account the clinical picture.

 

Radiotracer                        Normal Images

Study Protocol                    Essential Anatomy

Clinical Applications          Normal Values

 

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