Renal transplant scintigraphy

Renal transplant scintigraphy is a non-invasive diagnostic modality, using radioactive isotopes, to assess renal transplant related complications. Renal scintigraphy images are acquired with a dynamic planar procedure using a radioactive isotope visualized on a gamma camera. The final result is a two-dimensional timeframe image. This enables visual inspection of arterial patency, tracer uptake indicating renal perfusion, and tracer excretion to the bladder ¹.

This diagnostic modality is part of the standard renal transplant follow-up in many transplant centers, however, not included in current guidelines ². It is considered a sensitive diagnostic tool for the assessment of urological and vascular complications and postoperative fluid collections. Also, early post-transplant procedures are used to assess renal transplant dysfunction, in particular delayed graft function ^3-5. 

The most frequently used radioactive isotope for transplant renal scintigraphy are Tc-99m MAG3 and Tc-99m DTPA. These tracers can be used for qualitative and quantitative assessment of renal transplant perfusion and excretion ^6,7.