Renal scan or renal scintigraphy is a kidney scan based on a special nuclear medicine procedure. The renal scan helps doctors to observe the kidney tissue structures and physiology of patients’ kidneys, and detect pathological infections to diagnose kidney problems. Before the renal scanning procedure, a radioactive drug is administered intravenously to trace the kidney functions. These radiotracers are filtered by kidneys from the blood that emit gamma radiations and are traced by the gamma cameras. The patient remains in a conscious state as the renal scan does not require any sedatives.

Renal Scan Procedure 

Before the renal scanning procedure, a radioactive drug is administered intravenously to trace the kidney functions. These radiotracers are filtered by kidneys from the blood that emit gamma radiations and are traced by the gamma cameras. The images from the gamma cameras are recorded and observed for various malignancies and abnormalities in the renal system and kidneys. The patient remains in a conscious state as the renal scan does not require any sedatives.

5 tips to Follow Before Going for Renal Scan

  • 1. Well hydrated: Patients need to be well hydrated- so as to decrease the effects of injected radiopharmaceutical dose.
  • 2. Medication list: Prepare a complete list of all medications and supplements that you are undergoing.
  • 3. If you are pregnant or just delivered the baby and nursing your young one, you must inform the doctor prior to your scan, because the radioactive material can travel down to your  breast and can mix the baby’s milk.
  • 4. Inform your doctor regarding any infections or allergies to any medications
  • 5. Inform your doctor about your fears, if you are claustrophobic
  •  

Why is it very important to drink a lot of water prior to your renal scan?

Most important precaution to be taken by the patient is to maintain the body well hydrated. This is essential because a dehydrated body will lead to a collapsed bladder, which in  turn takes a longer time to filter out the radioactive drug into the kidney. 

Renal Scan Purpose 

  • 1. Renal abnormalities
  • 2. Renovascular hypertension (high blood pressure near renal valves)
  • 3. Renal masses
  • 4. Kidney tumors 
  • 5. Kidney cysts
  • 6. Renal trauma
  • 7. Kidney abscesses
  • 8. Cause of Kidney transplant rejection 
  • 9. Obstruction in the flow of blood towards kidneys
  • 10. Incomplete urine drainage from urinary tract 
  • 11. Kidney parenchymal infections (pyelonephritis)
  • 12. postinfectious scarring
  • 13. Trauma linked to ureters
  •  

Benefits of Renal Scan

  • 1. Not a risky test
  • 2. scan kidney functions
  • 3. Scan kidney tissue structures
  • 4. Kidney infections 
  • 5. Kidney related diseases

Is renal Scan Procedure Risky?

No, a renal scan procedure is not a risky test. It is a radioactive imaging procedure to scan kidney functions, kidney tissue structure, kidney infections and other kidney related diseases. It involves injecting radiopharmaceuticals intravenously which helps in scanning the kidneys. No anaesthesia is required during the procedure. It is a non-invasive imaging procedure to detect kidney problems.

Does a Renal Scan Involve Anaesthesia?

No, renal scan procedure is an easy radioactive imaging procedure to scan kidney functions, kidney tissue structure, kidney infections and other kidney related diseases. It involves injecting radiopharmaceuticals intravenously which helps in scanning the kidneys. Anaesthesia is not required during the procedure. It is a non-invasive imaging procedure to detect kidney problems.

Does a Renal Scan involve Sedation?

No, the renal scan procedure does not involve sedation. It is an easy radioactive imaging procedure to scan kidney functions, kidney tissue structure, kidney infections and other kidney related diseases. It involves injecting radiopharmaceuticals intravenously which helps in scanning the kidneys. No, sedatives are required during the procedure. It is a non-invasive imaging procedure to detect kidney problems.

What are the types of Renal Scans?

Four types of renal imaging help determine whether the kidneys are working normally or abnormally.

  1. 1. ACE-inhibitor renal scintigraphy
  2. 2. Renal perfusion and functional imaging
  3. 3. Diuretic renal scintigraphy
  4. 4. Renal cortical scintigraphy
  5.  
  1. 1. ACE-inhibitor renal scintigraphy- This test is done to check if a patient is having high blood pressure due to constriction of renal arteries or space is narrowed down before taking ACE-inhibitor. 
  2. 2. Renal perfusion and functional imaging: It focuses on examination of the kidney blood flow and reasons behind obstructions in the blood flow in renal vessels and arteries.
  3. 3. Diuretic renal scintigraphy: Any blockage of urine flow or obstruction in kidneys is clearly detected in kidneys scan images that are taken before introducing diuretic and after it. 
  4. 4. Renal cortical scintigraphy: After injecting the radiopharmaceutical material into the blood the images are taken through the gamma camera right after 2 hours to observe and detect the status of renal cortical tissues that are functioning properly   and in a good form. 
  5.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. Why do I need a renal scan?

Renal scan is carried out to assess the problems and injuries in kidneys and renal organs. When you are suspected to have the following renal conditions, your doctor will ask for a renal scan.

  • 1. Renal abnormalities
  • 2. Renovascular hypertension (high blood pressure near renal valves)
  • 3. Renal masses
  • 4. Kidney tumours 
  • 5. Kidney cysts
  • 6. Renal trauma
  • 7. Kidney abscesses
  • 8. Cause of Kidney transplant rejection 
  • 9. Obstruction in the flow of blood towards kidneys
  • 10. Incomplete urine drainage from urinary tract 
  • 11. Kidney parenchymal infections (pyelonephritis)
  • 12. Postinfectious scarring
  • 13. Trauma linked to ureters
  •  

Q.2. What are the precautions to be taken before going for a renal scan?

5 tips to follow before going for renal scan

  1. 1. Well hydrated: Patients need to be well hydrated- so as to decrease the effects of injected radiopharmaceutical dose.
  1. 2. Medication list: Prepare a complete list of all medications and supplements that you are undergoing.
  2. 3. If you are pregnant or just delivered the baby and nursing your young one, you must inform the doctor prior to your scan, because the radioactive material can travel down to your  breast and can mix the baby’s milk.
  3. 4. Inform your doctor regarding any infections or allergies to any medications
  4. 5. Inform your doctor about your fears, if you are claustrophobic
  5.  

Q.3. What are the types of renal scans?

Four types of renal imaging help determine whether the kidneys are working normally or abnormally.

  1. 1. ACE-inhibitor renal scintigraphy
  2. 2. Renal perfusion and functional imaging
  3. 3. Diuretic renal scintigraphy
  4. 4. Renal cortical scintigraphy
  5.  

Q.4. Does a renal scan involve sedation?

No, the renal scan procedure does not involve sedation. It is an easy radioactive imaging procedure to scan kidney functions, kidney tissue structure, kidney infections and other kidney related diseases. It involves injecting radiopharmaceuticals intravenously which helps in scanning the kidneys. No, sedatives are required during the procedure. It is a non-invasive imaging procedure to detect kidney problems.

Q.5. Is renal scan procedure risky?

No, a renal scan procedure is not a risky test. It simply involves imaging to scan kidney functions, kidney tissue structure, kidney infections and other kidney related diseases. Lab personnel injects radiopharmaceutical intravenously. After 2 hours the kidneys are scanned through gamma cameras. This non-invasive procedure helps in scanning the kidneys. No anaesthesia is required throughout the procedure. 

Q.6. Why should I undergo a renal scan?

Some of the major benefits of renal scan are as follows:

  • 1. Not a risky test
  • 2. Scan kidney functions
  • 3. Scan kidney tissue structures
  • 4. kidney infections 
  • 5. Detects renal blood flow obstruction
  •  

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