[Advances in the diagnosis of renal function with radionuclides (author's transl)].

Nuclear medicine offers the possibility of quantitative (clearance techniques) and semiquantitative (sequential gamma-camera studies) renal function studies, which can be done with minimal discomfort to the patient at a low radiation exposure. Scintillation cameras with data-storing and computer systems are used after administration of labelled chelates (99mTc-DTPA, 111In-DTPA, 51Cr-EDTA) and labelled contrast media excreted by glomerular filtration (131I-Iothalamate, 131I-Hypaque) and after injection of 131I-ortho-iodo-hippuric acid (131I-Hippuran). The use of 99mTc gives further information on regional renal perfusion, which can be supplemented by exact data after injection of 133Xe into the renal artery. The described methods have proved to be valuable in the diagnosis of renal artery stenoses, in the follow-up of inflammatory kidney disease, in the assessment of hypertensive patients, in the differentiation of renal lesions with destruction of parenchyma, in the follow-up of urinary tract obstruction and in the follow-up of patients with transplanted kidneys over many years. The correlation of nuclear medicine data with chemical and clinical parameters is excellent. Studies of renal function by radionuclides have, thus, acquired an important role in the evaluation and follow-up of nephrological and urological patients.