What are the clinical indications for radionuclide kidney imaging?
• Estimation of glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow
• Measurement of “split” kidney function to determine the relative contribution of the right and left kidneys to total kidney function. This can be important prior to a nephrectomy.
• Differentiation of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) from rejection in cases of kidney transplant, where early blood flow images are normal in ATN with decreased delayed functioning as opposed to rejection where both are abnormal
• Evaluation for urinary extravasation (leak)
• Diuretic renogram is useful in differentiating functionally insignificant urinary tract dilatation from obstruction.
• Diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis
