What are the findings on a renal cortical scintigraphic study in acute and chronic infection?
A renal cortical scintigraphic study reveals parenchymal defects in children with acute infection secondary to focal areas of edema and inflammation. These defects revert to normal if the process completely resolves. In chronic infection or chronic pyelonephritis secondary to reflux nephropathy, residual areas of scar appear as persistent cortical defects on follow-up examinations.