RENAL PATHOLOGY AND THE TC-99M-DMSA IMAGE BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT OF THE EVOLVING PYELONEPHRITIC SCAR - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

This study reports the effects of 3-weeks' antimicrobial treatment on the pathology and appearance of the Tc-99m-DMSA renal image in piglets with pyelonephritis induced by a combination of vesicoureteral reflux (WR) and urinary infection. Before treatment, either photon-deficient (B1, B2) or photon-absent (C) scintigraphic abnormalities were presen t in the refluxing kidney in all 22 animals examined. All (100%) of th e initially B1 and the majority (71%) of B2 photon deficient defects r esolved with treatment, leaving only insignificant residual pathologic lesions. Conversely almost all (93%) of the C photon-absent scintigra phic abnormalities persisted after treatment and were always associate d with significant scarred or cratered pathologic lesions in the reflu xing kidney at sacrifice.