Tc-99m DMSA

Last revised by Ammar Ashraf on 21 Jul 2023

Tc-99m DMSA (2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid) is a technetium radiopharmaceutical used in renal imaging to evaluate renal structure and morphology, particularly in paediatric imaging for detection of scarring and pyelonephritis. DMSA is an ideal agent for assessment of the renal cortex as it binds to the sulfhydryl groups in proximal tubules at the renal cortex with longer retention than other agents. This results in higher concentration and hence much higher resolution with pinhole SPECT. Also, it allows better assessment of differential renal function. It is a static scan as opposed to dynamic DTPA or MAG3 scans.

Characteristics

  • photon energy: 140 keV

  • physical half-life: 6 hours

  • biological half-life: 2.5-3.5 hours

  • 2.3 < pH < 3.5 3,4

  • normal distribution: kidneys (100%)

  • excretion: renal

  • target organ: kidneys

  • pharmacokinetics:

    • after the injection 90% of the 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid is bound to plasma proteins 3,4

    • 40-50% fixed to cortex (greater than glucoheptonate)

    • maximal cortical uptake within 3 hours

  • miscellaneous facts: 

Uses, doses and timings

Renal cortical imaging
  • adult dose: 555 MBq (15-20 mCi) IV

  • paediatric dose 2: 1.85 MBq/kg (0.05 mCi/kg)

    • minimum 18.5 MBq (0.5 mCi)

  • image at 2 hours

Cases and figures

  • Case 1: normal DMSA scan
  • Case 2: non-functioning right kidney
  • Case 3: crossed fused renal ectopia
  • Case 4: ectopic kidney
  • Case 5: horseshoe kidney
  • Case 6: let multicystic dysplastic kidney
  • Case 7: left-sided crossed fused renal ectopia
  • Case 8: right-sided cross fused renal ectopia
  • Case 9: non-functioning right kidney
  • Case 10: unilateral renal agenesis
  • Case 11: pelvic kidney
  • Case 12: crossed renal ectopia
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