Total uptake of Tc-99m-DMSA in the kidneys

A reliable measure of relative kidney function can be obtained by digital registration of the Tc-99m-DMSA scintigrams (a dorsal and a ventral record). This works particularly well when one of the kidneys lies deeper than the other or is toppled over. From the administered quantity of the radiopharmaceutical, the thickness of the patient and the singular calibration curve (obtained by scanning a standard vial with the Tc-99m complex in water under standard conditions), it is possible to compute the absolute uptake of radioactivity in the kidney as percentage of the administered quantity. This computed entity shows good correlation with total kidney function. (Auth.)