Medical Health Information

Kidneys
We have two kidneys. The abuts against the rear wall of the abdominal cavity, just up and on each side of the spine at the level of the lower ribs. The kidneys are bean shape and they are about. 10-12 cm long. Renal pelvis is associated with the kidneys and collects urine being made. From the renal pelvis drains urine through the ureters into the bladder and then out through the urethra. The blood flow to the kidneys through an artery (renal artery) that departs from the aorta in the abdomen.

The central task of the kidneys is to cleanse the blood of waste products and participate in the regulation of fluid balance in the body. The increased intake of fluids to the kidneys excrete more urine.

What is imaging?
Scintigraphy is an imaging study in which the body is supplied small amounts of radioactive materials (isotopes). The study takes place in two stages. First, the injected radioactive substances directly into the bloodstream. These drugs are designed so that they primarily concentrated in the organs of the body you want to investigate (the kidneys). This takes some time, so that there is latency between injection and image recording. Using a device that detects the radiation from substances, it forms a picture - a scintigram. The image is a collection of points and gives no precise representation of the system under study, but the information can be of great use to solve your medical problem.

What is nyrescintigrafi of the kidneys?
The test is performed in both adults and children to study renal function and to detect diseases, injuries and defects in the kidney tissue. Scintigraphy of the kidney may be performed by two different methods: Nyrescintigrafi or isotoprenografi. The studies used both in children and adults. Isotoprenografi is ideal in children because the radioactive substances used are less harmful compared with contrast agents used in X-ray procedures.

In a normal imaging of the kidney seen equal blood flow in right and left kidney. Within 10 minutes, 50% of the radioactive substances being separated.

When done scintigraphy of kidneys?
Scintigraphy
The survey used for the determination of kidney size, rent and function. It is particularly suited to show differences between the two kidneys because one can compare renal function in the two kidneys.

Isotoprenografi
This study is useful when the urine stream from one or both kidneys is inhibited, for example. if a kidney stone blocking the ureter. The survey is also used to assess whether there is a narrowing of the renal artery, which occurs in a small percentage of those with elevated blood pressure.

Survey
The study begins with the radioactive substance is injected into a vein in the arm. At scintigraphy waiting Watching for 2-3 hours before the photo is taken. By isotoprenografi you start taking pictures almost immediately. Early photos show the great arteries and both kidneys. Eventually seen activity in kidney tissue. After 5 min should be collecting system (renal pelvis and ureters) may be visible. It is taken as more photo every 20 minutes, which gives an idea of ​​how well the kidneys are functioning. In some cases, you will be well into the investigation injection into your vein a drug (captopril or diuretics) such as can make it easier to determine whether there is a narrowing of the renal artery.

You can sit or lie when pictures are taken. "The camera" (gamma camera) is placed against the back over the kidneys. By isotoprenografi collected under spotlight seen time ca. 45 minutes.

Patient Preparation
By nyrescintigrafi is no preparation necessary. By isotoprenografi recommended that you drink 2-3 glasses of water before the test.

What to do?
Unilateral impaired excretion of urinary collecting system may be due to a kidney stone or a tumor. Decreased blood flow can be expressed narrowing of the renal artery. The survey can also be useful in the evaluation of renal failure and the follow-up of patients who have undergone kidney transplantation.

Further investigation will sometimes be required. The most common studies are then ultrasound, CT, MRI or angiography.