Renal scan

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Renogram; Kidney scan

The risks are essentially the same as for X-rays (radiation) and for needle pricks.

There is a slight amount of radiation from the radioisotope. Most of this radiation exposure occurs to the kidneys and bladder as the isotope is excreted. Virtually all radiation is gone from the body in 24 hours. However, because of the slight exposure to radiation, caution is advised if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Any time the body is penetrated (such as by a needle prick) there is a risk for infection. Injection into a vein also carries a slight risk for bleeding. The risk is no greater for renal perfusion scan than for intravenous injection of any sort.

Extremely rarely, a person will exhibit an allergic reaction to the radioisotope, which may include severe anaphylaxis.

A scan that shows reduced kidney function may be help identify the cause of the problem. Congenital (present from birth) or other abnormalities of kidney shape or size may contribute to an error in interpreting results of the scan because glomerular filtration rate and other functions are calculated based on normal kidney size and shape. Tests of some functions may require delayed images (1 to 4 hours later).

Advantages of the scan are the ability to determine kidney function without exposure to contrast agents and the ability to obtain quantitative information that may not be obtainable by other procedures.

Review Date: 05/10/2006
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.