Acute Radiorenography During Attacks of Renal Colic

The Value of Renal Scan in Acute Renal Colic – A Clinical Viewpoint

“…Like others [1,5,11], we also suggest that diuretic radionuclide study is highly accurate in determining whether true obstruction exists. It is the ideal study for long-term follow-up of patients with borderline obstruc tion, as slight decreases in function may be a subtle indi cation for intervention, but in itself is insufficient and unpredictive as to the need for further manipulationendoscopic or surgical.…”

“…Diagnostic accuracy using the history, clinical exami nation and the presence of RBCs in urinalysis is low [4,5], The simplest imaging examination remains the plain abdominal radiograph which can detect approximately 90% of stones [6], However, the identification of a calcif ied stone on the ordinary plain abdominal film, bears no relation to the functional status of the kidney and the degree of the hydromechanical obstruction caused by it.…”

“…However, in these mild cases the pelvicaliceal dilatation is not infrequently sec ondary to overhydration or a distended bladder [7], Malave et al [8] have compared radionuclide scanning with sonography and encourage the use of the latter for the diagnosis of obstructive hydronephrosis. The combina tion of an isotope scan with a diuretic can intensify the obstructive pattern and distinguish acute obstruction from a functional one [5,9,10].…”

The Role of the Radionuclide Renal Study in the Management of Renal Colic

“…The radionuclide renal study described in this report, with subsequent diuresis imaging if necessary, is simple to perform, cost-effective and free of complications (Lundstam et al, 1983;O'Reilly et al, 1984;Kogan and Hattner, 1985).…”

“…It provides immediate information on b l o d flow, anatomy, morphology, split renal function and urodynamics (Kogan and Hattner, 1985). Subsequent injection of a diuretic agent can demonstrate the obstructive pattern more clearly and can distinguish organic from functional obstruction (Lundstam et al, 1983;O'Reilly et a/., 1984).…”