'Functional imaging' of the kidney by means of an on-line computer system

''Functional imaging'' as described here is an integrated data-processing method by which the regional dynamic function of an organ system can be visualized in the form of images. Functional images in some illustrative cases were presented. In a patient with hydronephrosis, it was shown that the spatial extent of delayed transport was different between the accumulation phase and the drainage phase. In a patient with pyelonephritis, multiple focal areas with delayed transport were shown in both accumulation phase and drainage phase. It is considered that functional imaging is of special value for the assessment of regional function of the kidney as well as other organ systems and that it will be useful for daily clinical studies, since this procedure requires only a few minutes with a computer system. (auth.)