Kidney Scan

Renal Scan

What Affects the Test

Factors that can interfere with your test and the accuracy of the results include:

• Pregnancy. A kidney scan is not usually done during pregnancy because the radiation could damage the developing baby (fetus).
• Medications to control high blood pressure (antihypertensives).
• Barium and bismuth. If a kidney scan is needed, it should be done before any tests that use barium (such as a barium enema).
• kidney failure.
• An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) or abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan within 24 hours of a kidney scan. The contrast material used in these scans may affect kidney function.
• The inability to remain still during the test.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: January 8, 2007
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology
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