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Renogram; Kidney scan – Indications, Procedures, Results

Last updated: February 8, 2026 Medically reviewed by: RxHarun Orthopedic Specialist Doctor Reading time: 8 min read

Renogram; Kidney scan

A renal scan is a nuclear medicine exam in which a small amount of radioactive material (radioisotope) is used to measure the function of the kidneys.

How the Test is Performed

The specific type of scan may vary. This article provides a general overview.

A renal scan is similar to a renal perfusion scintiscan. It may be done along with that test.

You will be asked to lie on the scanner table. The health care provider will place a tight band or blood pressure cuff on your upper arm. This creates pressure and helps your arm veins become bigger. A small amount of radioisotope is injected into a vein. The specific radioisotope used may vary, depending on what is being studied.

The cuff or band on the upper arm is removed, and the radioactive material moves through your blood. The kidneys are scanned a short time later. Several images are taken, each lasting 1 or 2 seconds. The total scan time takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

A computer reviews the images and provides detailed information about how your kidney works. For example, it can tell your doctor how much blood the kidney filters over time. A diuretic drug (“water pill”) may also be injected during the test. This helps speed up the passage of radioisotope through your kidneys.

You should be able to go home after the scan. You may be asked to drink plenty of fluids and urinate often to help remove the radioactive material from the body.

How to Prepare for the Test

Tell your health care provider if you take any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood pressure medicines. These drugs might affect the test.

You may be asked to drink additional fluids before the scan.

How the Test will Feel

Some people feel discomfort when the needle is placed into the vein. However, you will not feel the radioactive material. The scanning table may be hard and cold. You will need to lie still during the scan. You may feel an increased urge to urinate near the end of the test.

Why the Test is Performed

A renal scan tells your provider how your kidneys work. It also shows their size, position, and shape. It may be done if:

  • You cannot have other x-rays using contrast (dye) material because you are sensitive or allergic to them, or you have reduced kidney function
  • You have had a kidney transplant and your doctor wants to check how well the kidney is working and look for signs of rejection
  • You have high blood pressure and your doctor wants to see how well your kidneys are working

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results are a sign of reduced kidney function. This may be due to:

  • Acute or chronic kidney failure
  • Chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
  • Complications of a kidney transplant
  • Glomerulonephritis
  • Hydronephrosis
  • Injury of the kidney and ureter
  • Narrowing or blockage of the arteries that carry blood to the kidney
  • Obstructive uropathy

Risks

There is a slight amount of radiation from the radioisotope. Most of this radiation exposure occurs to the kidneys and bladder. Almost all radiation is gone from the body in 24 hours. Caution is advised if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Very rarely, a person will have an allergic reaction to the radioisotope, which may include severe anaphylaxis.

FAQ

What is a renogram test?

  • A renogram or renal scan is a test that uses a radioactive substance (or tracer) to examine your kidneys and their function. The scan evaluates the blood flow through the kidneys and measures the amount of time it takes for the tracer to move through the kidneys, collect in the urine and drain into the bladder.

How is a renogram done?

  • A Nuclear Medicine Renogram is performed using a special radioactive material that, when injected into the bloodstream shows the kidney blood supply and filtering action of the kidneys. Nuclear Medicine scans are performed using very small amounts of radioactive material.

Why do I need a renogram?

  • A renogram is a nuclear medicine test of the kidneys. It can be used to see how well each kidney is working and whether urine passes on into the bladder without obstruction.

Is a renogram a CT scan?

  • A renal scan involves the use of nuclear radioactive material to examine your kidneys and assess their function. A renal scan is also known as a renal scintigraphy, nuclear renal imaging, or a renogram. Other forms of renal imaging include CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs.

What causes kidney stones?

Causes of kidney stones
  • Possible causes include drinking too little water, exercise (too much or too little), obesity, weight loss surgery, or eating food with too much salt or sugar. Infections and family history might be important in some people.

What is a DTPA scan test?

  • A renal DTPA scan is a nuclear medicine exam in which a small amount of radioactive material (radioisotope) is used to measure the function of the kidneys, to see how the left and right kidney work comparatively. This test allows any sites of blockage to be identified and detected.

Does a renal scan hurt?

  • The kidney scan is not painful. But you may have some discomfort or pain from lying still during the test, or the insertion of the IV. The technologist will use all possible comfort measures and do the scan as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.

Can I eat before a renogram?

  • Your renogram pictures will be processed to produce a graph showing how quickly the tracer passes through your kidneys and into your bladder. Unless your doctor has told you to have restricted fluids, please make sure that you drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks before the renogram. You can eat normally.

What is EC renogram?

  • DTPA/EC Renal scan is a process of injecting a radiotracer to assess the function and drainage pattern of your kidneys.

What is the best scan for kidneys?

  • CT scans of the kidneys are useful in the examination of one or both of the kidneys to detect conditions such as tumors or other lesions, obstructive conditions, such as kidney stones, congenital anomalies, polycystic kidney disease, accumulation of fluid around the kidneys, and the location of abscesses.

Are kidneys sensitive to radiation?

  • In radionuclide therapy—a form of internal RT used for various cancers including neuroendocrine tumors—the kidneys are especially susceptible for radiation toxicity because of the glomerular filtration, tubular absorption, and retention of the proximal tubules of radionuclides.

Where do you feel kidney stone pain?

  • Common symptoms of kidney stones include sharp, cramping pain in the back and side. This feeling often moves to the lower abdomen or groin. The pain often starts suddenly and comes in waves. It can come and go as the body tries to get rid of the stone.

What are the first signs of passing a kidney stone?

Other warning signs of kidney stones may be more noticeable.
  • Nausea and Vomiting. Kidney stones can make you feel sick to your stomach.
  • Blood in the Urine. Seeing your pee take on a shade of pink or red is alarming.
  • Cloudy or Foul-Smelling Pee. Urine can change in other ways too.
  • Problems with Flow.
  • Fever and Chills.

How do you prepare for a Renogram?

  • Is there any preparation before this scan? There is no preparation for this scan. If it is necessary for you to stop taking any medication you will be contacted prior to your scan. You do not need to fast for this scan although you are asked to drink 2/3 glasses of water prior to your scan time.

How do I prepare for a kidney scan?

  • Unless told otherwise by your healthcare provider before the ultrasound, you can eat or drink as normal on the day of your test. If your provider needs a post-void of your bladder, you’ll be required to drink 30 ounces of water an hour before the exam and not use the restroom until after the ultrasound.

How long does a renal scan last?

  • The kidneys are scanned a short time later. Several images are taken, each lasting 1 or 2 seconds. The total scan time takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour. A computer reviews the images and provides detailed information about how your kidney works.

What is DMSA and DTPA renal scan?

  • A DMSA scan is usually static imaging, while other radiotracers like DTPA and MAG3 are usually used for dynamic imaging to assess renal excretion. The major clinical indications for this investigation are. Detection and/or evaluation of a renal scar, especially in patients having vesicoureteric reflux (VUR)

Is kidney stone pain worse at night?

  • Usually, people with kidney stones have more pain in the late night and early morning. This is due to the fact that people normally urinate less during the late night and early morning and at this time the ureter remains constricted.

Can I drive after a renal scan?

  • You can go back to your normal activities after having it, as the tracer is removed from your body naturally in urine. This test is safe because it does not have the risk of toxicity or allergic reaction as with IV dyes.

What should you not do before a kidney ultrasound?

  • EAT/DRINK: Drink a minimum of 24 ounces of clear fluid at least one hour before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder prior to the procedure. Generally, no prior preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is required.

How is a renogram done?

  • A Nuclear Medicine Renogram is performed using a special radioactive material that, when injected into the bloodstream shows the kidney blood supply and filtering action of the kidneys. Nuclear Medicine scans are performed using very small amounts of radioactive material.

What is DTPA Renogram test?

  • DTPA scan full form is Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid. What is DTPA Renogram Scan? DTPA is a radiopharmaceutical used in a DTPA renal scan. It is basically medicine. A DTPA renal scan is done to check the supply of the blood, the excretion, and the function of the urine from the kidneys.

Why do I need a renogram?

  • A renogram is a nuclear medicine test of the kidneys. It can be used to see how well each kidney is working and whether urine passes on into the bladder without obstruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area later with a custom field named _rx_references.

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Written by Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Born and educated in Bangladesh, Dr. Rashid earned his BPT from the University of Dhaka before pursuing postgraduate training internationally. He completed his MD in Internal Medicine at King’s College London, where he developed a special interest in inflammatory arthritis and metabolic bone disease. He then undertook a PhD in Orthopedic Science at the University of Oxford, conducting pioneering research on cytokine signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Rashid returned to clinical work with a fellowship in interventional pain management at the Rx University School of Medicine, refining his skills in image-guided joint injections and minimally invasive pain-relief techniques.