Radionuclide imaging in the assessment of primary chronic pyelonephritis.

The diagnostic value of radionuclide imaging as a supplement to excretory urography was assessed in 33 patients with primary chronic pyelonephritis. Both 99mTc-glucoheptonate and 131I-Hippuran were used. Radionuclide imaging did not improve the sensitivity of detection by urography alone (31 of 33 patients). Nevertheless, in one third of cases the radionuclide studies demonstrated certain abnormalities more readily, including focal parenchymal damage, renal functional impairment, and decreased renal perfusion. Radionuclide imaging is useful when minimal or no abnormalities are observed on the excretory urogram or nephrotomogram.