Basis of Pediatric Genitourinary Imaging

Abstract

This chapter includes certain procedures of pediatric nuclear medicine, namely radionuclide imaging studies for the evaluation of important renal diseases in the pediatric age-group, as well as vesicoureteral reflux and testicular torsion. Other pediatric procedures are covered in the other chapters. Radionuclide imaging of the genitourinary tract in children is extensively requested by pediatricians and pediatric surgeons in order to assess renal function by the aid of quantitative analysis as well as by the morphological data gained in these studies. These informative data, along with those provided by ultrasonography and excretory urography, provide physicians with valuable objective criteria for diagnosing and following patients. In neonates, radionuclide studies are much used to evaluate flank masses such as cystic kidneys, hydronephrosis, tumors, and congenital abnormalities, e.g., horseshoe kidney, renal ectopia, absence of a kidney, which are often encountered on antenatal ultrasonographic examinations. Older children are frequently examined with radionuclide studies for evaluation of genitourinary tract disorders such as infection, hydronephrosis, hydroureteronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux, hypertension, trauma, tumors, and problems resulting from kidney transplantation.