Static renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA for the assessment of renal damage after therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and its treatment may adversely affect kidney function. The aim of the present study was to determine whether 99mTc-DMSA static renal scintigraphy can be used to disclose kidney damage at the end of therapy for ALL in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 48 ALL patients aged 6.6-22.9 years, with a mean time of continuous complete remission of 51 months. Static renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Minor scars in the renal cortex were diagnosed with scintigraphy in 6 (13%) patients. A significant correlation was found between renal scarring and a history of urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: No clinically significant kidney damage was found after completion of treatment of ALL. Static renal scintigraphy may be a valuable noninvasive method for visualization of renal cortex pathology.