If renal colic is suspected in the patient presenting with acute flank
or lower abdominal pain it must be established whether or not the aff
ected kidney is obstructed and whether there is functional impairment
that may require urological intervention. The radionuclide renal study
developed in this hospital and used routinely for over 10 years can r
eveal obstruction when the results of commonly used tests are negative
. It also provides information on renal function, morphology and blood
flow. It is a cost-effective safe and reliable procedure for the init
ial investigation of patients presenting with suspected renal colic.