The role of the radionuclide renal study in the management of renal colic.

If renal colic is suspected in the patient presenting with acute flank or lower abdominal pain it must be established whether or not the affected kidney is obstructed and whether there is functional impairment that may require urological intervention. The radionuclide renal study developed in this hospital and used routinely for over 10 years can reveal obstruction when the results of commonly used tests are negative. It also provides information on renal function, morphology and blood flow. It is a cost-effective, safe and reliable procedure for the initial investigation of patients presenting with suspected renal colic.