REPLACING TC-99(M)-DMSA FOR RENAL IMAGING

We have tried to evaluate the usefulness of an early Tc-99(m)-MAG3 image, obtained during the second minute after injection of the tracer, in predicting the renal alterations seen on a Tc-99(m)-DMSA scintigraph, in children clinically suspected of pyelonephritis. It appears that the accuracy of the MAG3 image is population dependent: when, in most of the patients of a study group, DMSA scintigraphy is either normal or very abnormal, the MAG3 image will correctly reflect the DMSA scintigraph. However, when the DMSA alterations are less pronounced, the early MAG3 image will miss the lesions in about 50% of the cases.