A new excellent renal imaging agent: sup(99m)Tc-DMSA

Results of an in vivo study of sup(99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (sup(99m)Tc-DMSA) in rats, and the clinical evaluation of this new agent (provided in kit form) as a renal cortical imaging agent were reported. The distribution of sup(99m)Tc-DMSA and of 203Hg-chlormerodrin was measured in rats which had been injected intravenously, and sacrificed and autopsied 1, 3, 6 and 24 hours later. Specific activities in various organs were measured by a well-type scintillation counter. Concentration of sup(99m)Tc-DMSA was 20.3%, 25.2%, 23.9% and 25.2% respectively, and of 203Hg-chlormerodrin 71.1%, 86.2%, 83.7% and 39.9%. In the clinical evaluation, of the 107 patients studied, 44 coere studied with both agents. Renal images with sup(99m)Tc-DMSA were better in all 44 patients. It was concluded that sup(99m)Tc-DMSA is an excellent, safe renal imaging agent. (Evans, J.)