[Determination of glomerular filtration during sequential scintigraphy in the evaluation of separate renal function]

The serial renal scan, a rapid series of images obtained with a scintillation camera, is explained; it visualizes the arrival to the kidneys and the passage through the parenchyma and the pelvocalyceal system of 99mTc-DTPA, a tracer cleared by glomerular filtration. Dynamic imaging of the kidneys provides more extensive information regarding anatomical structure and renal function that cannot be obtained by other noninvasive techniques. Computerized data analysis provides a lot of parameters, such as global and parenchymal transit times, useful in differentiating obstructive from non-obstructive uropathy, and total and separate glomerular filtration rate. 99mTc-DTPA computer-assisted scintigraphy is recommended as a routine method in nephro-urologic conditions where an accurate evaluation of separate renal function is required.