Imaging Procedures - Patient Information
 


Kidney (Renal) Flow and Function

Why would my physician order this procedure

To assist your physician in evaluating either your kidney blood supply or unusual kidney anatomy.

Exam preparation
 

We will need you to drink at least 3 glasses of water in the hour before your appointment.  You may empty your bladder as frequently as needed.

 

To perform this exam, we must give you a small amount of radioactive materials. 

Tell your doctor if you might be pregnant, if you are pregnant, or if you are a nursing mother.

What to expect

A technologist will explain the entire process to you prior to starting the exam.  He/she will also ask you some health history questions, which will help our radiologist interpret your exam.

A technologist will place an intravenous (IV) line in your arm.  We will have you lie flat on our imaging bed while our camera is positioned under you.  The radiopharmaceutical reagent will be given to you through the IV line and images will be acquired for about 20 minutes.

If you have any technical questions specific to this procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask the technologist at dosing time.  All clinical questions should be directed to your physician.

A report will be sent to the ordering physician.

How long will it take

You will be in our department about 30 minutes.

Possible complications or side effects

No complications are expected from this procedure.

Radiation risk statement

Studies of the health effects of radiation have shown that high doses of radiation can cause cancer.  However, this hospital procedure requires that we inject you with a very low level of radioactive material. 

The risk from lower doses of radiation, such as you will receive during this exam, is uncertain.  Most scientists believe that the risk is very small.  Certainly, the benefits received from the exam far outweigh the small risk associated with this procedure