Uronephrologic nuclear medicine.

Nuclear medicine offers a rapid noninvasive means of evaluating suspected urinary tract disorders. Over the years, radionuclide scintigraphy has gained an important role in the evaluation of the renal transplant, possible obstruction, infection, and renovascular hypertension. During the past year, the importance of nuclear medicine within these areas has been confirmed. The diagnostic value of both diuresis and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor renography is now generally accepted, whereas there is still disagreement about the optimal protocol. Renal scintigraphy is useful in patients with renal infection. Nuclear medical examinations have assumed a dominant role in the control and monitoring of renal transplants owing to their ability to quantify perfusion and function, but they do not obviate graft biopsy.