Computer processed 99mTc-DTPA studies of renal allotransplants.

In order to refine the diagnostic possibilities of the radionuclide renal study in transplanted patients and to compensate for the nonspecificity of the 131I-hippuran study in some situation, 99mTc-DTPA WAS USED SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR IMAGING AND TIME-ACTIVITY CURVES. For these curves to be significant, appropriate background subtraction had to be made with a simple computer-processing method. The results obtained have shown that it is possible to distinguish marked acute tubular necrosis from milder degrees, thus affording a prognostic index in the immediate postoperative period, when the hippuran data are often nonspecific. Further, the diagnosis and follow-up of acute rejection episodes can be improved by the DTPA processed curves. Although these curves when examined individually do not show a specific pattern for rejection, they may reveal striking evolutionary changes when compared to the previous studies, even when the hippuran curves are unchanged. The physiologic basis for the differences between the two time-activity curves may be related to the differential handling of the two radiopharmaceuticals by the kidney.