Based on a clinical evaluation, your doctor may recommend a nuclear medicine renal ( kidney ) parenchymal scan to confirm a suspected kidney disorder. We hope this introductory brochure will help you understand this study better.

Purpose of the scan

• To evaluate the location, size, and shape of the kidneys.
• To evaluate infection of the renal parenchyma ( also called acute pyelonephritis ).
• To diagnose developmental renal anomalies and atrophy.
• To evaluate ischemic changes in the kidneys.

Procedure for the study

• No fasting and special preparation is needed for the scan.
• Our staff will inject a tracer into your vein.
• After the injection, we will schedule a time for the scan, approximately 2 hours of waiting; you could leave the Department of Nuclear Medicine while you are waiting.
• At the time of the scan, please wait momentarily in front of the scanning room. Patients will need to empty the bladder before the scan and it usually takes 15 minutes to scan.

Things to keep in mind

• Please notify our medical staff if you are pregnant; if so, the procedure is inappropriate for your condition.
• Empty your bladder before the scan and remain still during the process to improve the quality of the image; there are no other precautions and complications like allergy are rare. 

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