New developments in renal physiopathology acquired using a quantitative renal functional test: the 197Hg uptake test

The renal function of 331 obstructive uropathies, of which 112 were unilateral, were studied using the radioactive Hg renal uptake technique. The results obtained lead to the following observations: (1) Kidneys silent because of a chronic pelviureteric obstruction maintain a minimum function representing approximately one quarter of the normal value, which does not seem to be improved following the removal of the obstruction. (2) Operative relief of obstruction in unilateral obstructive uropathy, except for cases of silent kidneys, is followed by a significative improvement in the function of the kidney on the operated side in more than a third of the cases studied. (3) In 43% of obstructive uropathies considered as unilateral, the functional value of the two kidneys is decreased.