The clinical application of 99Tcm-DMSA renal cortical scintigraphy in children with urinary tract infection

Objective: To study the value of 99Tcm-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal cortical scintigraphy in distinguishing between upper urinary tract infection (UUTI) and lower UTI (LUTI), determining renal scarring, and following-up curative effect for UTI in children. Methods: The authors reviewed 252 results of 99Tcm-DMSA renal cortical scintigraphy in children with UTIs during a period of the past five years. The age of the patients was from 1 month to 14 years. The ratio of males: females was 94:158. A standard 99Tcm-DMSA renal cortical scintigraphic protocol was used. The studies were scored as normal (indicating LUTI) and abnormal (indicating acute pyelonephritis or renal scarring). And differential function of renal was calculated. Results: Of 252 children with UTI, 110 cases had normal images diagnosed as with LUTI. 142 cases had abnormal images, 116 cases were diagnosed as with acute pyelonephritis, 26 cases were diagnosed as with renal cortical scars. The differential function range of LUTI was 46%-54%. Of UUTIs, the differential function of single renal involved was less than 45%. Of 142 UUTIs, 17 cases repeatedly underwent renal cortical scan after therapy. 12 of 13 cases with acute pyelonephritis completely recovered normal or obviously ameliorated after 6 months, 1 cases did not show any change after 4 months. Four cases were found with renal scarring, and showed little change on repeated images for the following 6 months. conclusions: 99Tcm-DMSA renal cortical scintigraphy is of valuable significance in distinguishing between upper and lower UTI, and in estimating renal scarring. The sequelae of renal infection can be monitored by renal cortical scan. A follow-up of 6 months may be recommended after therapy