The monitoring of renal dysfunction in renal emphysema by dual radiopharmaceutical scintiscanning.

Followup renal scintiscans using two radiopharmaceuticals were performed in a patient with renal emphysema. This allowed us to more accurately determine whether the emphysematous pyelonephritis was responding to antibiotic therapy or whether surgical intervention was indicated. Both Ga-67 citrate and a cortical agent (Tc-99m dimethylsuccinate) were used. A reciprocal relationship in the renal uptake of these two agents indicates the response of therapy and the degree of improvement of renal cortical function.