Have you been asked to have a renal scan? Don't worry, we'll talk about it in detail!

Did you feel a little scared or nervous when the doctor told you that you needed to have a 'kidney scan'? Many of us get a little nervous when we hear the word "scan". "What will this find?", "Is this something difficult?", "They put radioactive substances in your body, isn't that good?" Many questions come to mind. But actually, this is not as scary as you think. This is a very safe, routine test. So today, let's clear up all your doubts about this Renal Scan, or Kidney Scan.

Simply put, what is a Renal Scan?

Think of your kidneys as two water filters in our house. Their main job is to filter and purify the waste products in the body and excrete them as urine. So, a Renal Scan is a special test that is done to see if these kidneys are doing their job properly, if they are getting good blood flow, and if their shape, size, and position are correct.

This is not a regular X-ray or CT scan. This is a test called Nuclear Medicine. What happens here is that a very small amount of a radioactive substance (radioisotope or radiotracer) is injected into a vein in your arm. Don't be afraid, even though it's "radioactive", it's not harmful to your body. It's like a special "dye" that only helps with the test and leaves your body after a while.

When this medicine travels through the veins to the kidneys, a special camera, called a gamma camera , is used to take pictures of the kidneys. The medicine allows the kidneys to be seen clearly on a computer screen. This allows the doctor to detect any kidney disease or damage at an early stage.

Why would a doctor tell you to have this scan?

Now you may be wondering, "Why did I have to do this when there are so many other tests?" There are several reasons why a doctor might refer a patient for a Renal Scan.

• Depending on the results of other tests: If your blood tests or urine tests show any problems with your kidney function, this scan can help you study it in more depth.
• Allergy to X-ray dye: Some X-rays and CT scans use a special dye called ``contrast dye.'' Some people can be allergic to these dyes. If you need to have your kidneys examined, a Renal Scan is a very safe option .
• After a kidney transplant: If you have had a kidney transplant, this test is done regularly to see how the new kidney is functioning in the body.
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Sometimes, high blood pressure, which is difficult to control, can be caused by a kidney problem. This scan is important to find out exactly what is causing it.
• Urinary tract obstruction: If there is a suspicion of an obstruction in the flow of urine, this will help determine where the obstruction is and whether it is affecting the kidneys.

What medical conditions can be detected with this scan?

A renal scan can provide information not only about the functioning of the kidneys, but also about a number of diseases related to them. Let's take a look at what they are.

Are there types of Renal Scan?

Yes, the type of Renal Scan your doctor recommends may vary depending on your problem. There are four main types.

1. ACE Inhibitor Renal Scintigraphy: This is done to see if your high blood pressure is caused by narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys. Here, a scan is taken before and after you are given a blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitor).

2. Diuretic Renal Scintigraphy: This is done if there is a suspicion of a blockage in the urinary tract. Here, a diuretic is given and how urine moves through the kidneys is examined.

3. Renal Cortical Scintigraphy: This scans the outer layer of the kidney called the renal cortical tissue. This helps to determine if the kidney has been damaged after surgery or if there is scarring due to infection.

4. Renal Perfusion Scan: This measures how well the kidneys are supplied with blood (perfusion). It is used to measure the width of the renal arteries and the function of the kidneys.

How should I prepare before the scan?

This is very important. In order for the scan results to be accurate, you need to prepare a little beforehand.

• Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. You may be asked to stop taking some painkillers, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin, a few days before the scan.
• Be aware of your health conditions:
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant , be sure to tell your doctor, as the radiation may affect the fetus.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother , tell her that too. Because the radioactive material can pass into the milk, you are advised to avoid breastfeeding your baby for a few hours after the scan.
• If you have any allergies (to medications, latex, etc.), please mention them.
• If you have a fear of small, enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), mention it. Since the camera will be a little closer to your body, you can talk about a way to be comfortable.
• If you have a fear of needles (trypanophobia) , tell the staff that too. They will help calm you down.
• Drink water: You will be advised to drink plenty of water before the scan.
• Urinate: You will be asked to empty your bladder (urinate) before the scan begins.
• Clothing and Jewelry: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Remove any metal jewelry or glasses. They can interfere with the scan.

What happens during the scan?

When you go to the scanning room, these are the steps you usually follow.

1. A nuclear medicine technologist will insert a small cannula (IV line) into a vein in your arm or hand.

2. Then, a special radioactive drug (radiotracer) is injected into the body through the cannula. You will not feel any pain at this time.

3. You will be made to lie down or lie down on an examination table.

4. Then the gamma camera is placed over your kidney area and starts taking pictures. This camera doesn't hit your body . It just moves slowly around or over your body.

5. The technologist will monitor these images on a computer screen. Sometimes you will be asked to remain still, and other times you may be asked to change positions, such as leaning slightly.

Typically, this entire process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours , depending on the type of scan you are having.

What happens after the scan? Are there any risks?

Once the scan is complete, the cannula will be removed and you can go home. You can continue with your normal activities for the day.

Don't worry about the medicine you've injected into your body. As you drink plenty of water and urinate throughout the day, the medicine will almost completely leave your body.

Now let's look at the risks. The risks are very low . In fact, the amount of radiation used is much less than that of a regular X-ray.

The following are very rare cases:

• Allergy: It is very rare to have an allergy to that medicine.
• Pain at the site of the cannula: The site of the cannula may be slightly red, swollen, or painful. If this does not subside within a few days, tell your doctor.

What happens when the report is received?

The images from the scan are carefully reviewed by a radiologist or nuclear medicine specialist, who prepares a report and sends it to your doctor. The doctor will then call you to explain what is in the report and what needs to be done next.

If the report shows that there is a problem, the doctor may order additional tests to accurately diagnose the condition. For example:

• Ultrasound scan, MRI or CT scan
• Other kidney function tests
• Kidney biopsy

Don't be afraid. All this is done to find out exactly what your problem is and give you the best treatment for it.

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