Renal Scanning Using Stop-Flow1

Scanning of various body organs with the aid of radioactive isotopes is dependent upon the relative concentration of the isotope in the organ with respect to its surroundings. Current attempts at renal scanning (1–3) involve the use of various radioactive iodine-or mercury labeled compounds which are concentrated in the kidney. These compounds are secreted by the renal tubules and collected in the calyceal-infundibula-pelvic portions of the kidney. Since secretion and elimination of these compounds is a continuing function within the kidney, high doses of radioactive material must be used in order to obtain sufficient concentration of the isotope so that renal scanning can be done. It has been reported that to obtain sufficient concentration of the isotope in the kidney, in man, requires as high as 2.5 millicuries of I131 (1). It has also been reported that twenty to thirty minutes must elapse after the start of an infusion before scanning can begin (3). In addition, the presence of radioactive material i...