Renal perfusion scintiscan

You may be asked to take a blood pressure medicine called an ACE inhibitor, most often a medicine called captopril. The drug may be taken by mouth, or given through a vein (IV). The medicine makes the test more accurate. You will lie down on the scanner table shortly after taking the medicine. The health care provider…

You will be asked to drink plenty of water before the test. If you are currently taking an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure , you may be asked to stop taking your medicine before the exam. Always talk to your provider before you stop any of your medicines. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown. Remove all…

You may feel a small amount of pain when the needle is inserted. You must remain still during the scan. You will be told when you need to change positions. There may be some discomfort as your bladder fills with urine during the exam. Tell the person conducting the exam if you must urinate before the scan is complete.

The test evaluates blood flow to the kidneys. It is used to diagnose narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys. This is a condition called renal artery stenosis. Significant renal artery stenosis may be a cause of high blood pressure and kidney problems.

Blood flow to the kidneys appears normal.

Abnormal findings on the scan may be a sign of renal artery stenosis. A similar test that does not use an ACE inhibitor can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

If you are pregnant or nursing, your provider may want to postpone the test. Pregnant women should not take ACE inhibitors. The amount of radioactivity in the injection is very small. Nearly all radioactivity is gone from the body within 24 hours. Reactions to the materials used during this test are rare, but may…

This test may be less accurate in people who already have kidney disease. Talk to your provider to determine if this is the right test for you. Alternatives to this test are an MRI or CT angiogram.

Rottenberg G, Lagha E. Renal transplantation: imaging. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 30. Textor SC. Renovascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA,…