Combined use of ultrasound and nuclear medicine techniques in kidney disease.

Combined ultrasound and nuclear medicine procedures in the evaluation of urinary-tract disease are essentially limited to the kidneys. They are useful in the evaluation of patients with masses, renal failure, unilateral nonfunctioning kidney, trauma, and transplants. In our experience the combined use of these techniques has increased diagnostic accuracy and in many cases has obviated the need for more complex procedures associated with higher radiation doses. This is an especially important factor in children and in adults in the childbearing age group. We have achieved success with these modalities because of the constant communication between the referring physicians and the ultrasound and nuclear medicine divisions.