This procedure allows the physician to monitor the function of the kidneys and the degree of any blockage in the flow of urine out of the kidneys.  

Procedure :

You will lie down on the imaging couch and a Gamma Camera will be placed over your abdominal area. There will be a small injection and images of the tracer passing through your kidneys will be taken. The computer will continue to monitor and image your kidneys for about 30 minutes. During this time, it is extremely important for you to keep very still, as any movements will cause the processing and calculation of the data to be inaccurate.

Patient Preparation :

You must drink lots of water before the procedure.
Please empty your bladder before the procedure as the bladder might fill up quite rapidly during the procedure.

Captopril Renogram :

This scan allows the physician to detect possible narrowing of the blood vessels supplying blood to the kidneys and also monitor the function of the kidneys.

Procedure :

You will lie down on the imaging couch and a Gamma Camera will be placed over your abdominal area. An injection containing a small amount of radioactive tracer will be given and images of the tracer passing through your kidneys will be recorded. The computer will continue to monitor and image your kidneys continuously for about 30 minutes. During this time, it is extremely important that you keep very still, as any movements will cause the processing and calculation of the data to be inaccurate.

Patient Preparation :

You must drink lots of water before the scan. This is to ensure that your kidneys are hydrated which will result in an accurate scan.
You will be given some medication and your blood pressure will be monitored for an hour. After that, the Captopril renogram will be carried out.  

If the Captopril renogram is positive, you will have to return to our  department for another standard Captopril renogram
(i.e. without medication and blood pressure monitoring ). This will have to be on another day.