Value of additional lateral scans in renal scintigraphy

Although it is common to perform scintigrams in multiple projections this technique has not yet been generally accepted for kidney scintigraphy. By performing additional lateral scans using an Anger camera and with patients sitting we found at least three advantages: 1. Better Visualisation of Kidney Lesions: 7 (13,5%) of 52 cases with lesions could be detected in lateral projection only, in all other cases we obtained better information concerning location and size of lesions. 2. Determination of Real Kidney Size: Of 62 patients with kidneys appearing reduced unilaterally in the dorsal projection, additional lateral recordings demonstrated that 24 (39%) seemed diminished because of tilting. 3. Better Interpretation of Renograms: Demonstration of different depths of kidneys facilitates interpretation of renograms with different peak heights. Additional lateral scans thus can provide--at least if dorsal recordings are inconclusive--further information.