(99m)Tc-DTPA diuretic renal scintigraphy in dogs with nephroureterolithiasis.

This study evaluated the results of diuretic renal scintigraphy in dogs with urolithiasis. Eighty-three kidneys with nephroureterolithiasis +/- renal pelvis/ureteral dilation were included in the study. Sixty-three kidneys showed a non-obstructive pattern, with a steep drop or gradual downward slope of renal time-activity curve (TAC). Excretion half-time of radiopharmaceutical (T(1/2)) was 3.99 (2.99 to 7.95) min. Three kidneys showed an obstructive pattern, with continuous rise of the TAC and median T(1/2) of -10.71 (-5.20 to -17.56) min. Fifteen kidneys had non-diagnostic studies characterized by flat TAC. Individual kidney glomerular filtration rate was <0.5 mL/min/kg body weight in most non-diagnostic studies. Diuretic renal scintigraphy appears to be a useful adjunct modality to rule out or confirm ureteral obstruction in dogs. Additional diagnostic procedures may be necessary to achieve a definitive diagnosis in cases of severely impaired renal function.

(99m)Tc-DTPA diuretic renal scintigraphy in cats with nephroureterolithiasis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate results of diuretic renal scintigraphy in 32 feline kidneys with nephroureterolithiasis and variable degrees of renal pelvis/ureteral dilation. Six kidneys showed a non-obstructive scintigraphic pattern, with a downward slope of time-activity curves (TAC) and a median excretion half-time of radiopharmaceutical (T((1/2))) of 6.09 (5.08-8.43) min. Eight kidneys showed an obstructive pattern, with a continuous rise of TAC and median T((1/2)) of -7.91 (-43.13-0.00) min. In one kidney with presumptive partial obstruction scintigraphic results were equivocal. Seventeen kidneys, most of which had an individual kidney glomerular filtration rate below 0.5ml/min/kg, had non-diagnostic studies. Diuretic renal scintigraphy may be a useful adjunct modality in the diagnosis of ureteral obstruction in some cats if renal function is maintained. However, the large number of non-diagnostic studies in animals with decreased renal function represents a clear limitation of the technique.

Diuretic renal scintigraphy in normal cats.

The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol for diuretic renal scintigraphy (renography) in cats and describe normal findings. 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigraphy was performed twice in 10 healthy cats. Furosemide or saline were injected 4.5 min after radiopharmaceutical administration for the diuretic or control scan, respectively. A dynamic acquisition was performed for 8 min. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) global and individual glomerular filtration rate (GFR); (2) shape of the time-activity curve (TAC); (3) time of peak (TOP); (4) individual kidney excretion half-time (T1/2) of the radiopharmaceutical; (5) percentage of maximum activity measured at the end of the study. Global GFR in the control studies (2.79 +/- 0.83 ml/min/kg, mean +/- SD) did not differ significantly from the diuretic scans (2.34 +/- 0.51 ml/min/kg). The shape of most (16/ 20) TAC of diuretic renograms was similar to those of control renograms. The TOP of the diuretic renogram curves was 3.06 +/- 0.58 min, and did not differ from that of the control scans (3.01 +/- 0.61 min). T1/2 of the diuretic renograms was significantly shorter (5.15 +/- 0.83 min) than that of the control renograms (6.31 +/- 1.50 min). A significantly lower percentage of maximum activity was present at the end of the study in diuretic renograms (median: 47.25%; range: 33.60-59.60%) compared with control renograms (63.40%; 30.00-69.40%). Diuretic renal scintigraphy is a noninvasive and fast procedure to perform in cats. The applicability of this technique needs to be investigated in patients with significantly impaired renal function and obstructive uropathies.