Renal function studies using 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid.

99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), provides both a well defined renal image via preferential cortical accumulation, and a quantitative assessment of separate kidney function, correlating well with renal plasma flow obtained from the 131I-Hippuran renogram of each kidney. 99mTc-DMSA is capable of labeling the functioning nephrons in the cortex without interference by the activity of urine flow, suggesting that DMSA should be termed a cortical tubular marker. 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy has advantages over conventional methods in that it can be performed repeatedly with little discomfort to the patients, as a routine clinical examination.