A clinical study of 99mTechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake in obstructed kidneys: comparison with the creatinine clearance.

We studied 17 hydronephrotic kidneys owing to stenosis of the pyeloureteral junction. Preoperative uptake of 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid was compared to early postoperative unilateral creatinine clearance, measured by urine collection from the nephrostomy tube. An excellent correlation was found. Therefore, uptake of 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid represents a reliable parameter of renal function even in the presence of severe urinary tract obstruction. However, 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake should be measured more than 24 hours after injection of the tracer.