Kidney, function, imaging

Several hydrophilic, anionic technetium complexes can be used to perform imaging studies of the kidneys. Tc-Mertiatide (Fig. 5a) is rapidly excreted by active tubular secretion, the rate of which is a measure of kidney function. Tc-succimer (Fig. 5b), on the other hand, accumulates in kidney tissue thus providing an image of kidney morphology. 

Identify the patient at risk for CIN—For patients likely to have reduced kidney function a measurement of the SCr level and estimation of the glomerular filtration rate can be recommended, If the glomerular filtration rate is less than 50 mL/min/l, 73 m2, particularly in combination with other risk factors, consideration should be given to alternative imaging approaches. 

Fig. 15. Dynamic CT images in a person with normal kidney function (units time (seconds) after the administration of contrast medium)...

Different methods of kidney imaging have shown that Balkan nephropathy patients with chronic renal failure have symmetrically shrunken kidneys with smooth surface and no calcifications [90]. The time at which the shrinking occurs remains to be determined. While some authors suggest that the size of the kidneys remains normal in patients in the latent phase of the disease and with normal renal function, others report cases of shrunken kidneys in patients in an early phase with normal glomerular filtration rate, and it was even proposed that the disease was characterized with primarily small kidneys [98, 110, 112]. As ultrasound became a standard imaging method in the evaluation of kidney dimensions, several recent studies that used this method showed diminished kidney length and cortex width in members of Balkan nephropathy families with normal kidney function [113, 114]. Besides,... 

We have reported a close association between plaque burden and impaired kidney function in type 1 diabetics using MRl imaging [13]. With the appearance of new generation scanners MSCT imaging most certainly in the near future will be available widespread in health communities. Clinical use and evaluation of non-invasive coronary artery imaging should focus on patients predisposed to atherosclerosis including those with diabetes. 

While bulk detection of dyes is suggestive of filtration and elucidates renal function, imaging the distribution of dyes in the kidney might provide additional insight into renal... 

Other Uses. The breast is scanned by placing the transducer over it. The liver and gallbladder are scanned by an abdominal transducer placed just under the ribs. The kidneys are imaged between the ribs on the back, and the heart is imaged between the ribs on the chest. In addition to the standard two-dimensional real-time image of the heart, M-mode is employed. This mode displays the motion of the heart in a linear display somewhat like an electrocardiogram. M-mode is used for analyzing the function... 

CT has always played a minor role in kidney transplant imaging because it requires normal renal function for analysis of the renal parenchyma or renal vessels. However, the dose of iodine contrast medium now required with MDCT is lower, making it possible to broaden its indications. Association of early acquisitions, during the arterial phase, and late acquisitions, during the excretory phase, provides complete information about the graft (Sebastia et al. 2001). 

Cardiac nuclear imaging using Tc -red blood cells can measure the fraction of blood pumped by the heart during each beat. Tc -DTPA and sodium (9-iodohippurate, C H INNaO, are used to measure renal function of the kidney. The enhanced or diminished uptake of... 

The same group reported the simultaneous radiolabeling (with DOTA-anchored 4Cu) and fluorescence studies, coupled with biodistribution in vivo and in vitro (92). It is believed that appropriately functionalized SWNTs can efficiently reach tumor tissues in mice with no apparent toxicity (159). Furthermore, water-solubilised carbon nanotubes are nontoxic when taken up by cells even in high concentration (92). These studies have been complemented by the recent PET imaging of water-soluble 86Y labelled carbon nanotubes in vivo (mice) (160,161), to explore the potential usefulness of carbon nanocarriers as scaffolds for drug delivery. The tissue biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of model DOTA functionalized nanotubes have been explored in vivo (mouse model). MicroPET images indicated accumulation of activity mainly in the kidney, liver, spleen, and to a much less... 

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