CURRENT ROLES AND CONTROVERSIES IN THE IMAGING EVALUATION OF ACUTE RENAL INFECTION

The current roles and controversies in imaging of the kidneys for the evaluation of patients with acute renal infection are reviewed. The no menclature used in describing the extent of the renal imaging findings in acute pyelonephritis suggested by the Society of Uroradiology to h elp avoid confusion in terminology in the past literature is briefly d escribed. Computed tomography (CT) is superior to urography and renal sonography for the evaluation and management of adults with acute rena l infection. [Tc-99m]-dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) cortical scintig raphy is the imaging study for the evaluation of children with acute p yelonephritis investigated by some, although power Doppler ultrasound, and even CT, can be considered as a possible alternative.