The investigation of renal disease using radionuclides

Abstract

Summary The use of radioactive labels for tracers is an important part of the investigation of renal disease. These techniques seldom replace, but often complement radiographic techniques. Generally, the radionuclide methods provide functional and dynamic information in a non-invasive, non-traumatic type of examination. The examinations usually are relatively simple to perform and carry a very low risk of untoward reaction. The past decade has seen significant advances in radiopharmaceutical design and instrumentation. It is expected that the next decade will produce an even greater advance in this field.

Clinical Use of Renal Perfusion Imaging by Means of Harmonic Sonography With a Microbubble Contrast Agent in Patients After Renal Transplantation

“…Unfortunately, data from these methods are variable, thereby leading to difficulty in diagnosing renal dysfunction. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Since sonographic microbubble contrast agents have become available, their efficacy for renal perfusion imaging has been the subject of clinical investigation. Many experimental studies have described how the use of microbubble agents on color and power Doppler sonography can improve the detection and characterization of various renal perfusion abnormalities, including masses [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] ; however, few studies have dealt with the transplanted kidney.…”

“…Although renal scans have been widely used to monitor graft function and diagnose complications in patients with renal transplantation, they cannot provide a valuable complement to the morphologic information of imaging techniques such as sonography and nonspecific tests. [5][6][7][8] In radiographic studies with intravenous pyelography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, contrast agents are widely used to evaluate renal perfusion abnormalities. Since microbubble sonographic contrast agents have become available, their efficacy for renal perfusion imaging has been the subject of clinical investigation.…”