what is a renal scan

A renal scan is a type of nuclear medicine test that evaluates the function and anatomy of the kidneys. During the test, a small amount of radioactive material (radioisotope or tracer) is injected into a vein, and the patient passes through a scanner that locates the radioactive material in the kidneys and sends images to a computer. The test helps healthcare providers detect kidney diseases and injuries at an early stage, and it is also used to check the progress after a kidney transplant. A renal scan is ordered when healthcare providers suspect that the kidneys are not working as they should, or when they need to check the kidneys of patients who are allergic to the dye used in X-rays, have had a kidney transplant, or have high blood pressure. There are different types of renal scans that examine different functional aspects of the kidneys, including renal perfusion and functional imaging, diuretic renal scintigraphy, and renal cortical scintigraphy. The specific type of scan may vary depending on what is being studied. A renal scan is a safe test that does not require sedation, and patients should be able to go home after the scan. They may be asked to drink plenty of fluids and urinate often to help remove the radioactive material from the body.