Volume expansion diuretic renal scan in urinary tract obstruction

The diuretic renal scan is used to differentiate the obstructed dilated urinary system from the nonobstructed dilated system. The technique, however, has a false-positive and indeterminate rate of 10%-15%. This usually is due to variables such as the degree of dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system or ureter, the degree of bladder distention, the diuretic dose, and the state of hydration. We developed the volume expansion diuretic renal scan (VEDRS) to overcome these variables and to improve the accuracy of the technique. Twelve patients who had obstructive patterns on the diuretic renal scan were evaluated. Ten patients were shown to be dilated but not obstructed. Two patients were confirmed as obstructed. This technique improves the accuracy of the diuretic renal scan.