Prediction of residual total renal function before nephron-sparing surgery using99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy

Background Although radical nephrectomy is the standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma, nephron-sparing surgery is the preferred treatment in patients with a single functioning kidney. It is important before surgery to evaluate the level of residual renal function likely after the operation. In this study, we investigated the prediction of residual renal function, using technetium Tc 99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (^99mTc-DMSA) renal scintigraphy, before nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors. Methods Preoperative and postoperative evaluation of renal function was done in 11 patients with renal cell carcinoma or renal angiomyolipoma, using^99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy. Nine patients had renal cell carcinoma and 2 had renal angiomyolipoma. Partial nephrectomy was performed in 4 patients and surgical enucleation in 7 patients. Both the predicted total DMSA renal uptake rate prior to surgery and the actual postoperative total^99mTc-DMSA renal uptake rate were obtained. Endogenous creatinine clearance and serum creatinine levels were also obtained. Results There was a good relationship between the predicted and postoperative total^99mTc-DMSA renal uptake rates. The ratio of the postoperative total DMSA renal uptake rate to the predicted total^99mTc-DMSA renal uptake rate was 85% after partial nephrectomy, and 101% after surgical enucleation. There was also a significant correlation between the postoperative total^99mTc-DMSA renal uptake rate and creatinine clearance, and postoperative total^99mTc-DMSA renal uptake rate levels above 11.4% coincided with serum creatinine levels below 2.0 mg/dL. Conclusion Preoperative assessment with^99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy is clinically useful for predicting residual renal function after nephron-sparing surgery.     

Renal function study assessed by 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy before and after PNL

99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy was carried out in 54 patients with unilateral renal stones before and after PNL. Four to 8 weeks after PNL the DMSA renal uptake significantly decreased to 17.2 +/- 6.0% from 18.2 +/- 6.7% before PNL. DMSA renal uptake did not change in the contralateral side. Since in some patients changes in the DMSA renal uptake of 5-7% were observed after PNL not only in the PNL side but also in the contralateral side, the renal function was assessed by the formula: DMSA renal uptake in the PNL side/DMSA renal uptake in the contralateral side, and the change of this ratio was evaluated in 44 patients, in whom the renal DMSA uptake in the PNL side was less than two times that in the contralateral side. The DMSA renal uptake ratio decreased to 95.6 +/- 8.7% from the base line 4-8 weeks after PNL. This change was statistically significant. Some functional risks such as massive bleeding with PNL, the fever after PNL and the number of nephrostomy tract did not affect the decrease in the renal function. In 29 patients in whom renal function was reevaluated one year after PNL, the DMSA renal uptake ratio significantly decreased to 94.2 +/- 9.6% from the base line 4-8 weeks after PNL. But the ratio significantly improved to 99.6 +/- 11.6% about one year after PNL. In two patients with a cold area on the renal image, the renal function of the operated side still remained at about 80% levels from the base line even one year after PNL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Renal function study by 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy in each treatment of staghorn calculi

From 1976 through 1984, 94 staghorn calculi of 86 patients were treated in this department. Kidney function was assessed by Tc-DMSA renal scintigraphy consisting of renal cortical imaging and DMSA renal uptake rate, in 84 kidneys preoperatively and 43 kidneys pre- and postoperatively. There was an increase in the postoperative DMSA renal uptake in the operated kidney, in 3 out of 14 kidneys in which pyelolithotomy was performed and in one out of 10 kidneys in which nephrolithotomy was done. It was still impossible to answer the question of which mode of operation should be chosen only from consideration of kidney function study. But it was suggested by the statistical investigation that nephrectomy seemed to be selected in the case of severely decreased renal function. It was reasonable that pyelolithotomy was the best method from the point of predicting the postoperative recovery of renal function. But in the near future, advances in endoscopical stone surgery and extracorporeal procedures, might reduce the damage of the renal function caused by conventional stone surgery.     

Kidney scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA and 131I-hippurate.

43 patients underwent an extended scintigraphic procedure with 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinylic acid in order to investigate its proper use for diagnosing morphological and functional kidney abnormalities. The group was comprised of patients without renal disease, and patients with diffuse parenchymal disease, obstructive uropathy, renal cysts and renal tumors. The study was followed by 131I-hippurate renography. We propose a simplified routine procedure with scintiphotos taken 10-15 min after injection for topographic information and 120 min after injection for renal morphology. This procedure allows excellent case finding of diffuse parenchymal disease of a special value in cases of radiological non-visualization. The technique is indicated, when iodine contrast media cannot be used for radiological examinations. DMSA studies, however, do not allow safe functional evaluation in all categories of patients. Neither can obstructive nephropathy be diagnosed unless the renal pelvis is dilated. Renal perfusion studies are contaminated by the perfusion of liver and spleen. Nevertheless, a tentative differentiation between cysts and tumours is possible, the former being hypoperfused the latter hyperperfused. When supplemented with gamma camera 131I-hippurate renography, the total scintigraphic procedure will also include split function determination and run-off evaluation.     

Evaluation of the protective effect of agmatine against cisplatin nephrotoxicity with 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy and cystatin-C

Background: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether agmatine (AGM) has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Materials and methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) Saline (control); (2) Cisplatin (CDDP; 7.5?mg/kg intraperitoneally); (3) Agmatine (AGM; 10?mg/kg intraperitoneally); (4) Cisplatin plus agmatine (CDDP?+?AGM). Agmatine was given before and two consecutive days after cisplatin injection. All the animals underwent renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA. The levels of serum creatinine, cystatin C, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured in addition to examination of the tissue samples with light microscopy. Acute renal injury was assessed with biochemical analyses, scintigraphic imaging, and histopathological evaluation.

Results: In the cisplatin group, the levels of BUN, creatinine, and cystatin C were significantly higher than that of the controls. Histopathological examination showed remarkable damage of tubular and glomerular structures. Additionally, cisplatin caused markedly decreased renal 99mTc-DMSA uptake. AGM administration improved renal functions. Serum creatinine, BUN, and cystatin C levels had a tendency to normalize and, scintigraphic and histopathological findings showed significantly less evidence of renal toxicity than those observed in animals receiving cisplatin alone.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that AGM has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it may improve the therapeutic index of cisplatin. In addition, the early renal damage induced by cisplatin and protective effects of AGM against cisplatin nephrotoxicity was accurately demonstrated with 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy.     

Evaluation of renal scarring in children with primary VUR by 99mTc-DMSA renoscintigraphy

Renal scarring in 271 kidneys of 172 children with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was evaluated by 99mTc-DMSA renoscintigraphy. 58% of refluxing kidneys were with renal scar by the initial DMSA renoscintigraphy. Only 52% of these kidneys showed good correlation between the findings on IVP and DMSA renoscintigram. Of the 144 refluxing kidneys with normal IVP, 41% had renal scarring on DMSA renoscintigram. DMSA renoscintigram revealed widespread renal scarring in 28% of kidneys with only calyceal clubbing and in 60% of those with segmental cortical thinning on IVP. It is realized that IVP was an in-sensitive method to evaluate renal scarring of refluxing kidneys and such kidneys with segmental renal scar on IVP accompanies more widespread scar on DMSA renoscintigram. These cases were allocated to 2 age groups, younger than 3 years and older than 4 years. In the former group less than 10% of kidneys with low grade VUR and about 40% with high grade UVR had widespread renal scarring. On the contrary, in the latter group severe renal scar was recognized in more than 20% of kidneys with low grade VUR and in about 60% with high grade UVR.     

99mTc-DMSA imaging with tomography in renal transplant recipients with abnormal lower urinary tracts

This study examined whether renal parenchymal imaging using^99mTc DMSA scintigraphy with tomography is a sensitive measureof renal scarring in renal transplant recipients with an abnormallower urinary tract and whether such scars correlate with impairmentof renal function. Three groups of patients were compared: group1, patients with an abnormal lower urinary tract and deterioratingrenal function (n=9); group 2, abnormal lower urinary tractand stable renal function (n=5); and group 3, normal lower urinarytract and deteriorating renal function (n=8). Eight of the ninepatients in group 1 had multiple scars visible on ^99m DMSA scansand this correlated with histology when a renal biopsy was performed;the only patient without scars had a transplant glomerulopathy.The presence of scars was associated with either raised intravesicalpressures or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Onlyone patient in each of groups 2 and 3 had visible scars andboth these patients had a history of recurrent UTIs. Patientsin group 3 with deteriorating renal function due to chronicrejection documented by biopsy did not have cortical scars visiblewith ^99m DMSA tomography. ^99mTc DMSA scanning with tomography is a useful investigationin the management of renal transplant patients with decliningrenal function; multiple scars may indicate abnormal lower urinarytract function and are not seen in chronic rejection.     

Congenital renal anomaly: evaluation with 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy

Technetium 99m-2,3, dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc-DMSA) preferentially accumulates in the renal cortex, demonstrating functioning cortical mass. We used 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy in ten patients with horseshoe kidneys and five patients with unilateral fused kidneys. The results show that 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy reliably establishes the diagnosis of horseshoe kidney and clearly shows the isthmus, which is very essential for proper management. The technique also aids in the definitive assessment of separate kidney function and of total radionuclide uptake is possible using 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy.     

Effect of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy on renal function: assessment with quantitative SPECT of (99m)Tc-DMSA renal scintigraphy

PURPOSE: To measure the effect of PCNL on global and regional renal function using quantitative single-photon emission CT (SPECT) measurement of Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) uptake by the kidneys (QDMSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 47 male and 41 female patients with a mean age of 47 +/- 16 years were studied by sequential QDMSA examinations before and 1.5 to 24 months after PCNL. Among the 67 patients (76%) in whom PCNL was performed using upper- or lower-pole access, the function of the affected and nonaffected poles of the treated kidney was calculated separately. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the uptake by the treated kidneys before versus after PCNL (11.9% +/- 5% v 11.6% +/- 5%; t = 0.9; P = 0.368). The total functional volume of the treated kidney was slightly decreased, from 235 cc +/- 62 cc to 224 cc +/- 59 cc (t = 2.7; P = 0.011). The percent of the injected isotope dose per cubic centimeter of tissue of the treated kidney was not affected (0.051 +/- 0.02 v 0.053 +/- 0.02; t = 0.86; P = 0.296). Regional assessment revealed a statistically significant decrease in the functional volume at the PCNL port of entry (91 cc +/- 30 cc v 82 cc +/- 27 cc; t = 2.64; P = 0.013). Regarding the percent of the injected dose per cubic centimeter of renal tissue, no statistically significant difference was found between the area of the kidney that underwent PCNL and the untreated area of the same kidney (0.049 +/- 0.02 v 0.05 +/- 0.02; t = 0.693; P = 0.494). The function of the contralateral kidneys remained unchanged (13.4% +/- 5.2% v 13.6% +/- 4.8%; t = 0.68; P = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the statistically significant decrease in the functional volume of the surgically treated region, neither total percent uptake nor percent of injected dose were reduced significantly. Further studies with long-term follow-up of treated kidneys are required.     

Clinical evaluation of 99mTc-DMSA renogram

Two hundred-two 99mTc-DMSA renograms for urologic problems were evaluated. Some technical aspects of the examination and the value of the scintigraphic depth estimation are discussed. Pre- and postoperative uptake values in patients with renal surgery and sequential postoperative examinations are considered. The value of DMSA renograms in predicting recovery in obstructive uropathy and in deciding to opt for conservative therapy or nephrectomy is discussed.     

放射性核素肾动态显像对肾结核患者患肾功能评价的价值

目的 探讨放射性核素肾动态显像对肾结核患者患肾功能评价的临床应用价值.方法 回顾性分析继往诊断的肾结核患者15例,均经放射性核素肾动态显像得出双肾总GFR值及分肾GFR值,同时获得患者的血清肾功能指标(血肌酐、尿素氮),对两种检查方法评估肾功能的效果进行比较.结果 15例患者肾动态显像显示左肾、右肾或双肾不同程度的GFR值降低,根据GFR值级别判断标准,左肾功能异常者5例(其中重度受损者3例,中度受损者1例,轻度受损者1例),右肾功能异常者11例(其中重度受损者9例,中度受损者2例),其中1例双肾功能均为重度受损;而此15例患者中,10例血肌酐及尿素氮正常,仅4例有不同程度的血肌酐及尿素氮改变,另1例仅尿素氮异常改变,对于肾结核患者肾功能状态判断的敏感性仅达肾动态显像的33.3％ (5/15);分肾GFR值与血清学肾功指标对肾功能状态的判断的差别有统计学意义.结论 放射性核素肾动态显像对于肾结核患者分肾功能的判断较血清肾功能指标更早更准确的发现肾功能异常的改变,具有重要的临床应用价值.     

Evaluation of renal function after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with renal scintigraphy using 99mtechnetium-mercaptoacetyltriglycine

AIM: We evaluated the functions of an affected kidney after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) using renal scintigraphy with (99m)technetium-mercaptoacetyltriglycine ((99m)Tc-MAG3). METHODS: Split renal function of 10 patients who underwent LPN for renal tumors was assessed using renal scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-MAG3 before surgery, and 1 week and 3 months post-surgery. RESULTS: Median operating time was 196.5 min, median tumor diameter was 2.3 cm, mean blood loss was 64 mL and mean ischemic time was 38.5 min. Median change in serum creatinine level pre- to post-surgery was 0.15 mg/dL. Median contribution of the affected kidney to total renal function (calculated using (99m)Tc-MAG3) was 50.0%, 41.7% and 36.1% before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after LPN, respectively. In one patient, the tumor was resected after cooling of the affected kidney with ice slush for 15 min, and the split renal function ratio remained as high as 50% at 3 months post-operatively despite a total ischemic time of 61 min. CONCLUSIONS: This paper evaluated renal function on the affected side before and after surgery by measuring split renal function with renal scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-MAG3. Risk factors for renal dysfunction in the affected kidney after LPN include age over 70 years with more than 30 min warm ischemic time, re-clamping of the renal artery procedure, and a warm ischemic time greater than 60 min. We believe that renal cooling with slush ice prevents renal dysfunction of the affected kidney after LPN with longer warm ischemic times. However, an easier renal cooling technique should be sought for regular use of cooling procedures in LPN.