succimer and Spermatic-Cord-Torsion

This article describes the role of nuclear medicine in the evaluation of the genitourinary tract. The technical aspects of radionuclide imaging (radiopharmaceuticals, radiation dosimetry, instrumentation, and method) are briefly presented, and each of the indications for renal scintigraphy--including the evaluation of differential renal function, hypertension, obstruction, renal transplants, masses, trauma, congenital anomalies, vesicoureteral reflux, and infection--are discussed. The relative advantages and disadvantages of radionuclide imaging with respect to alternative radiographic examinations (such as intravenous urography, ultrasonography, CT, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging) are emphasized wherever applicable.

Topics: Graft Rejection; Humans; Hypertension, Renovascular; Iodohippuric Acid; Kidney; Kidney Function Tests; Kidney Neoplasms; Kidney Transplantation; Kidney Tubular Necrosis, Acute; Male; Organotechnetium Compounds; Pentetic Acid; Postoperative Complications; Pyelonephritis; Radioisotope Renography; Spermatic Cord Torsion; Succimer; Sugar Acids; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid; Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; Ureteral Obstruction; Urinary Tract; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Major advances in nuclear medicine instrumentation and radiopharmaceuticals for renal studies have occurred during the last decade. Current nuclear medicine methodology can be applied for accurate evaluation of renal function and for renal imaging in a wide variety of clinical situations. Total renal function can be estimated from the plasma clearance of agents excreted by glomerular filtration or tubular secretion, and individual function can be estimated by imaging combined with renography. A major area of radionuclide application is in the evaluation of obstructive uropathy. The introduction of diuretic renography and the use of computer-generated regions of interest offer the clinician added useful data which may aid in diagnosis and management. Imaging is of proven value also in trauma, renovascular hypertension, and acute and chronic renal failure. Methods for the evaluation of residual urine, vesicoureteral reflux, and testicular torsion have achieved increasing clinical use. These many procedures assure a meaningful and useful role for the application of nuclear medicine in genitourinary imaging.

Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Infant; Iodohippuric Acid; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Middle Aged; Organotechnetium Compounds; Pentetic Acid; Radioisotope Renography; Spermatic Cord Torsion; Succimer; Sugar Acids; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid; Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; Ureteral Obstruction; Urinary Tract Infections; Urologic Diseases; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux