What is a renal scan?
A renal scan is a type of nuclear medicine imaging test that measures how well the kidneys are functioning. You may need a renal scan if you are suspected of having any of the following:
- Renal perfusion and function
- Renal trauma
- Renal hypertension
- Obstruction
- Kidney transplants
- Hydro nephrosis
- Flank pain
- Look for cysts, lesions, tumors or abscesses
What are the risks of a renal scan?
The risk to other people is very low, so these scans are considered safe and effective ways to diagnose disease.
How does a renal scan work?
There are four different types of renal scans your doctor can use to diagnose renal issues:
- Renal perfusion – A renal perfusion measures the blood flow through your kidneys. During this scan, a nuclear medicine technologist starts an IV in your arm. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the IV. Once the radiotracer is injected, a special camera is used to take images of your kidneys, images take 30-minutes
- Diuretic renal scintigraphy – used when you have problems with urine flow and checks for blockages inside your kidneys. During this scan, a nuclear medicine technologist starts an IV in your arm. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the IV. Once the radiotracer is injected, a special camera is used to take images of your kidneys, about 10-minutes into the images, 40mg of Lasix is given, images take 30 minutes
- ACE inhibitor renal scintigraphy – looks for narrowing in the arteries inside your kidneys, which is a cause of high blood pressure. During this scan, a nuclear medicine technologist starts an IV in your arm. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the IV. Once the radiotracer is injected, a special camera is used to take images of your kidneys, images take 30-minutes. Once the first set of images are complete, you will take the captopril pill, wait 1-hour and we will do another renal scan which takes 30 minutes.
- Renal cortical scintigraphy – examines the outer parts of your kidneys to see how well the tissue is functioning. During the scan, a nuclear medicine technologist starts an IV in your arm. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the IV. Once the radiotracer is injected, you will wait 2 hours before a special camera is used to take images of your kidneys. Those images will take about 1 hour. You may leave in-between the injection and scan
What should I expect after my renal scan?
It usually take 24-48 hours for your doctor to receive a report. Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the radiotracer out of your body, what does not get flushed out of your body will decay out. There are no other restrictions.