QUANTITATIVE TC-99M DIMERCAPTOSUCCINIC ACID RENAL SCANNING IN CHILDREN

Objectives: To develop a method for assessing absolute renal function (as well as morphology) in children, using gamma camera imaging of int ravenously injected technetium-99m (99mTc) dimercaptosuccinic acid (DM SA). Methods. Forty-five children (ages 1 week to 10 years; mean, 2.0 years) were imaged using a planar technique in which not only the appe arance but the absolute amount of intravenously administered 99mTc DMS A taken up by the kidneys was calculated for each child and compared w ith contemporaneous determinations of creatinine clearance. Results. T here was a close correlation between the absolute DMSA uptake and crea tinine clearance (r = 0.752). Conclusions. Renal function in children, expressed as creatinine clearance, can be accurately estimated by mea suring absolute DMSA uptake with planar gamma camera imaging using 99m Tc DMSA.