Renogram Scan (Children)

Patient information factsheet

What is a Nuclear Medicine Scan?

• A nuclear medicine scan is a very common medical procedure.
• It uses small amounts of radioactive materials to highlight a specific organ.
• This helps your Doctor diagnose (find the problem) and, in some cases, treat a number of diseases.
• The scan uses a gamma camera to look for signs of disease.
• It shows the Doctor how well your organs are working. Other types of scans show what your organs look like.

What is a Renogram scan?

A Renogram is a nuclear medicine renal scan that uses radiopharmaceutical injected into a vein, usually in the arm, to provide clear images of the kidneys.

• Images are taken with a special camera called a gamma camera.
• A Renogram scan checks the function of the urinary system (kidney, ureters and bladder).
• It checks how urine is drained from the kidneys to the bladder and identifies any obstruction or delayed drainage.
• Please come 2 hours earlier for cannulation (so that we can put a small tube into the patient's vein).

Do I have to do anything to prepare for this procedure?

• Yes. If possible, ensure the patient is well hydrated (drinks plenty of water) before coming for the appointment.
• The patient can empty their bladder as needed.
• The patient can take their prescribed medications and eat normally for this procedure.

What happens on the day of the scan?

On arrival

• Please come to the Imaging department to book in for the scan.
• You will then be asked to go to Rose's Day Unit or IFOR ward.
  A small tube (cannula) will be inserted into the patient's vein to allow the injection to be given.

After the cannula has been inserted

• You need to go back to the Imaging department, where a radioactive tracer will be injected into the cannula.
  The radioactive tracer will allow us to see the patient's kidneys under our special camera.

Imaging (the taking of the images)

• The patient will be positioned lying down on an imaging table.
• The radiotracer will be injected through the cannula and the scan will be started simultaneously.
• It is important that patient keeps still while the images are being taken.
• Depending on the patient's clinical history, a second injection might be given through the canula
• This is to make sure that the kidneys are working at their best.
• Extra images of the full and empty bladder will also be done.
• The entire scan can take up to 40 minutes.
• In some cases, another scan might be taken one hour after the initial scan, depending on the images obtained from the initial scan.

Is it dangerous?

• The scans are safe and painless.
• Because a small amount of radioactive tracer is used, there is only a very small risk of radiation exposure.
  If you have any worries or questions about the scan, please talk to your Doctor or contact the Nuclear Medicine department.

Are there any precautions?

• Please tell the Nuclear Medicine Technologist or Radiographer if you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding before you come to your appointment.
• You might need to stop breastfeeding for a short time after your scan.
• Please tell us if you are very afraid of needles (needle phobia), feel anxious in small spaces (claustrophobia), or cannot lie down flat.
• FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN: Please let us know if there may be any potty-training issues or if you have any concerns on whether your child will tolerate the procedure.

What happens after the scan?

• Drink lots of water.
• The radioactive tracer leaves your body through your pee (urine). Drinking lots of water will help get rid of it faster.
• Do not have any blood or urine tests for 24 hours after your scan because the radioactive tracer may still be in your body.

How do I get my result?

• A Radiologist reviews (looks at) the scan and sends the report to the Specialist Doctor who asked for it. They will then contact you directly.
• This can take about 2 to 3 weeks.

Is there anything else I should know?

• You will need to lie down flat and stay still during the scan. Moving can make the pictures unclear.
• The scan can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes. This will depend on the type of procedure you are having.
• A CT scan (computerized tomography) might be done at the same time as your nuclear medicine scan to give us extra information.
• Please do not bring anyone with you who is pregnant or under 18 years old. This is because there are radioactive materials in the department.
• We do not allow anyone under 18 to interpret for patients.
• If you need an interpreter, please tell the Nuclear Medicine department, and they will arrange one for you.

Contact our service

Email: whh-tr.nuclearmedwhitthealth@nhs.net
Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm: 020 7288 5517.
Friday: Please call our mobile on 07747 037 143.