Extended radionuclide urography (ERU). A new diagnostic technique in urinary tract infection in children

Radionuclide renal studies with 99m-Tc-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (99m-Tc-DTPA) are commonly used to assess renal perfusion, glomerular filtration and excretion. One of the two remaining problems in pediatric urology is the difficulty in determining the significance of upper urinary tract dilatation. The second is the need for a safe, non-invasive and reliable method to detect and quantify vesicoureteral reflux. Using Extended Radionuclide Urography (ERU) it is possible to distinguish between obstructive and dilated non obstructive hydronephrosis analysing activity time curves before and after furosemide injection. Furthermore, the miction part of the study can detect a vesicoureteral reflux without catheterisation. The method is non-invasive, saving radiation and costs and suitable for follow-up after surgical correction