There are 2 types of nuclear medicine kidney scans. Both involve radiographers injecting a weak radioactive solution into your child called a radioisotope. They will then take photos of your child’s kidneys using a special camera. The 2 radiosiostopes are called DMSA and DTPA.
The pictures will give your child's doctors information about:
The urinary tract is the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
The kidneys filter and remove waste and water from the blood to produce urine. The urine travels from the kidneys down 2 narrow tubes called the ureters. The urine is then stored in the bladder.
When your child does a wee, urine flows out of the body through the urethra, a tube at the bottom of the bladder. The opening of the urethra is at the end of the penis in boys and in front of the vagina in girls.
Front and side view of the female urinary tract
Front and side view of the male urinary tract
The reason for the scan will depend on your child's history, examination and results from other scans and x-rays. Your doctor will decide which scan will provide the most useful information to guide your child's care.
Read about urinary tract infections [1]
This scan takes place in your hospital's nuclear medicine department.
See the KidsHealth page on IV lines [2]
The insertion of the IV (drip) can be uncomfortable. Local anaesthetic cream where the drip will go in can help. Apart from this, the rest of the procedure will cause no discomfort.
A dummy (pacifier) for babies (if they normally suck on one) can be very soothing.
See some other suggestions for helping your child manage their treatment or procedure [3]
Many hospitals have play specialists. Their job it is to help explain these tests to your child. Play specialists use play to show your child what is going to happen and ways to help them cope.
You will be able to stay with your child for the test. Your presence can help reassure your child.
Pregnant mothers cannot stay during the test, and in this case fathers or someone else familiar to your child can be there.
Radiation in general is a risk. But, the amount of radioisotope in the solution is based on your child's height and weight, and is so small that it poses no great risk.
The amount of radioisotope in the solution is the smallest amount possible to get the best pictures.
The nuclear medicine specialist will review the pictures and send a written report to your doctor who will discuss the results with you. This usually takes several days.
Urinary tract illustrations by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
This page last reviewed 31 October 2021.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/urinary-tract-infection-uti
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/drips-intravenous-fluids-or-iv
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/helping-your-child-manage-their-treatment
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/x-rays-scans
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1663
[6] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1853
[7] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1852
[8] https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kidney-Health-New-Zealand/206096806091572
[9] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F250