Application of Renal Gamma Camera in the Evaluation of Renal Disease

Park, Young Yo; Choi, Hyung Ki

Abstract

Excretory urography is the procedure most commonly used to evaluate the upper urinary tract in urologic patients. The excretory urogram provides an excellent evaluation of anatomic changes in the kidney, but is a poor indicator of renal function. Renal gamma camera using radionuclide is a simple and non-invasive method for evaluation of renal function in renal disease. The excretory urogram and renal gamma camera were discussed comparing to 43 cases of severe abnormal anatomic changes in excretory urogram and 4 cases of contraindication of excretory urogram. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Non-visualization in excretory urogram were 19 cases and 6 cases were maintained renal function. Renal gamma camera was superior to excretory urogram in evaluating renal function. 2. 20 cases were hydronephrotic kidney and 14 (70%) cases were maintained good function in renal gamma camera. 3. Renal gamma camera provided better information about total and differential renal function than excretory urogram and creatinine clearance in bilateral renal disease. 4. Renal gamma camera was a safe and non-invasive method in the evaluation of the upper urinary tract, when excretory urogram was contraindicated.