Measurement of Hg203 chlormerodrin accumulation by the kidneys for detection of unilateral renal disease.

Abstract

It has long been recognized that a reliable screening procedure is needed for hypertensive patients, in order that a minority whose disease is due to unilateral renal ischemia may be selected. A popular technic for this purpose has been the “radioisotope renogram,” whereby the rate of accumulation and excretion of I131 o-iodohippuric acid2, injected intravenously, is measured by paired scintillation detectors external to the kidneys, (3, 4). Since 1959, the mercurial diuretic chlormerodrin (Neohydrin) labeled with Hg203 has been used for delineation of localized renal lesions by scintillation scanning (2). In addition, renal function may be assessed with this material by measuring its rate of accumulation by a technic similar to the I131 Hippuran studies. To perform this “chlormerodrin uptake test,” the patient is positioned supine on a modified x-ray table tilted 30° from the horizontal. A preliminary radiograph is obtained for accurate localization of two scintillation detectors under the kidneys. The s...