ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate diuresis renography with an intravenous injection of furosemide 20 minutes after administering the radiopharmaceutical [F+20 protocol] or 15 minutes before [F-15 protocol] in patients with upper urinary tract dilatation. Twenty-one patients with pyelocaliceal system dilatation, but not ureteral dilatation, on ultrasonography were evaluated. The patients underwent diuresis renography using the F+20 and F-15 protocols. Renal scan findings and kidney split function were recorded. Then, the patients underwent surgical or conservative treatment according to their clinical conditions and imaging results. Follow-up was done 3 and 6 months postoperatively by physical examination, intravenous urography, and diuresis renography. Eleven patients [52.4%] had complete obstruction in both protocols of renography, and 5 [23.8%] had an equivocal result in the F+20 and an obstructive pattern in the F-15. These patients underwent surgical operation. In 3 patients [14.3%], both protocols demonstrated a normal urinary tract. In 2 patients [9.5%], a nonobstructive response in the F+20 and an equivocal result in the F-15 were seen. One of them underwent surgical operation because of impaired kidney function during the follow-up and 1 was treated conservatively. Overall, obstruction was found in 16 out of 21 patients [76.2%] by the F-15 protocol, while it was found in 11 [52.4%] by the F+20 protocol [P = .01]. The mean kidney split function was 55.15% +/- 7.82% and 54.81% +/- 6.87% in F+20 and F-15 protocols, respectively [P=.45]. Using the F-15 protocol may reduce the equivocal results of the F+20 for diuresis renography