A comparison of three methods of assessing renal function.

In a study of 100 patients referred for assessment of renal function a comparison is made between gamma camera computer assisted displays of 99mTc-DTPA(Sn) nephrograms, intra-venous urography (I.V.U.) and triple probe 131I-Hippuran renography. The computer processed data displays renal morphology and activity/time curves which are deconvolved enabling quantitative assessment of glomerular function to be made. Pattern recognition techniques for feature extraction are employed to facilitate classification of the curves. It is concluded that the computer processed data gives better results both in the recognition of morphological defects and in the indication and measurement of renal damage.