genitourinary disorders
Genitourinary Imaging Tests
Radionuclide Scanning
Tc mercaptoacetyltriglycine-3 [MAG3]) are used to assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and overall renal perfusion. Radionuclide scanning can be used to evaluate renal function. It also has the benefit of not requiring IV contrast and may be used safely in patients at risk for Contrast Nephropathy . Radionuclide scanning also provides more information than does IV urography or cross-sectional imaging about the following: Segmental renal emboli Renal parenchymal scarring due to Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) None Functional significance of Renal Artery Stenosis and Occlusion None Kidney function in living donors before Kidney Transplantation None Tc pertechnetate can be used to image blood flow to the testes and to distinguish Testicular Torsion from Newly available nuclear positron emission tomographic (PET) agents can detect metastatic prostate cancer. Routine FDG PET scans are not very useful for most cases of prostate cancer but can be useful for other genitourinary tumors such as kidney or testicular cancer. Newer PET imaging includes targeting PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) on the surface of prostate cancer cells. These PSMA PET scans can often detect metastatic lesions at very low Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels , including those that recur locally after surgery, as well as those in lymph nodes, bone, and other metastatic sites. 