A technique that uses a radioactive substance to measure kidney function. Renography is quick and painless and is used when obstruction of the passage of urine is suspected.
The radioactive substance is injected into the bloodstream and passes through the kidneys into the urine. Radiation counts are taken continually throughout the procedure. Normally, the count rises and then falls as the substance passes into the bladder. If obstruction is present, the substance accumulates in the kidneys and the count continues to rise.
(See also kidney imaging.)
The radiological examination of the KIDNEYS using a gamma camera. This is a device that can follow the course of an injected radioactive (see RADIOACTIVITY) compound which is concentrated and excreted by the kidneys. This provides information on kidney function.
(isotope renography) n. the radiological study of the kidneys by a *gamma camera following the intravenous injection of a radioactive *tracer, which is concentrated and excreted by the kidneys. The radioactive isotope (usually *technetium-99m) emits gamma rays, which are recorded by the camera positioned over the kidneys. A graph of the radioactivity in each kidney over time provides information on its function and rate of drainage. See DMSA; DTPA; MAG3.
mercaptoacetyltriglycine: a tracer used in nuclear medicine, during *renography, when labelled with technetium-99m. This agent is cleared by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion by the kidneys. It can be used to measure effective renal plasma flow and to give anatomical information. Compared with a *DTPA scan, it can be used in patients with impaired renal function.... mag3
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