MAG3 renogram deconvolution in kidney transplantation: utility of the measurement of initial tracer uptake.
The study of renal retention function by deconvolution analysis of renographic curves is useful to calculate quantitative parameters in renal studies. The aim of the work is to evaluate the usefulness of 99mTc-MAG3 renogram deconvolution in renal function monitoring of kidney graft recipients.


METHODS
Forty-three kidney grafts and 112 renograms were studied: 41 were diagnosed as functioning graft, 35 as acute tubular necrosis, 24 as acute rejection, 8 as obstruction and 4 as cyclosporin toxicity. The parameters calculated were mean transit time (MTT), time at 20% of renal retention function (T20) and initial uptake (IU).


RESULTS
MTT and T20 were significantly longer in obstructives than in functioning grafts (p < 0.001). Initial uptake was significantly lower in acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and acute rejection (p < 0.001) and in obstructives (p < 0.05) than in functioning grafts. The joint evaluation of MTT and IU allowed to diagnose cases with graft function severely impaired.


CONCLUSIONS
Initial uptake is useful in evaluating post-transplantation complications and in combination with MTT and T20 reflects renal dysfunction severity.
Bajén
M T
MT
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Puchal
R
R
González
A
A
Grinyó
J M
JM
Castelao
A
A
Mora
J
J
Martin-Comin
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007683:Kidney Tubular Necrosis, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011866:Radioisotope Renography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017263:Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide; D013997:Time Factors
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017263:Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide