Functional evaluation of the remaining kidney in kidney donors by radionuclide dynamic imaging using a graphic method with factor analysis

Nucl Med Commun. 1997 Oct;18(10):937-42. doi: 10.1097/00006231-199710000-00008.

Abstract

An uptake coefficient proportional to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated from dynamic renal images with 99Tcm-DTPA using Rutland's graphic method. We have developed a new method of extracting the input and retention functions by applying factor analysis to the renal dynamic images obtained with 99Tcm-DTPA, which we have called the 'factor uptake coefficient' (Factor UC). In the present study, we followed 13 living kidney donors (7 males, 6 females) by measuring the Factor UC in each kidney before nephrectomy and in the remaining kidney 3 weeks and 1 year after nephrectomy. The median Factor UC in the remaining kidney increased from a pre-nephrectomy value of 0.31 to 0.52 three weeks post-nephrectomy, which then remained unchanged for up to 1 year. These results indicate that functional compensation occurs following unilateral nephrectomy, and that this process is complete within 3 weeks after nephrectomy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Creatinine / urine
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging*
  • Kidney / physiology*
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrectomy
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate
  • Tissue Donors*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Creatinine
  • Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate