Renal Scan

Evaluating Kidney Function and Performance

A Nuclear Medicine renal scan can help your physician evaluate how well your kidneys are working by providing both anatomical images and real-time functional information about kidney performance, including blood flow, filtration rates, and how efficiently each kidney is processing and draining urine.

Patient Testimonials

Megan N.

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Joe S.

“The tech was great. He knew I was anxious and took his time explaining, gave me options and time to acclimate.”

VP staff

“The staff were all very friendly and helpful. I live in Idaho, and I come in purposely to use your facility for any imaging needs.””

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IITC staff

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect?

After injecting a small amount of radioactive material into your vein, your technologist will take pictures for a period of 45 minutes.

During the procedure you may be injected with a diuretic called Lasix which helps your kidney’s work faster. This medication could cause some side effects, including frequent urination, dizziness, hypotension, and dehydration, among other symptoms.

How do I prepare?

You will be asked to hydrate with non-caffeine fluids before the study. You may be asked to not take your normal high blood pressure meds the day of your study. You may be asked to not take your normal high blood pressure meds, and/or diuretic meds, the day of your exam.

How long does a renal scan take?

The renal scan procedure typically takes about 45 minutes. During this time, your technologist will take a series of pictures to monitor how your kidneys process the radioactive material.

What happens during the procedure?

Your technologist will inject a small amount of radioactive material into your vein. As this material travels through your kidneys, images are captured to show how well each kidney is functioning. You may also receive a diuretic medication called Lasix during the exam, which helps your kidneys work faster and provides more detailed information.