The Clinical “Renogram” as a Guide to Renal Function

Abstract

In 53 patients glomerular filtration rate has been compared with the ratio of counts over the heart and the bladder obtained ten minutes after the start of a Hippuran 131I renogram. In the absence of urinary tract obstruction this ratio forms a rough guide to overall renal function. Blood activity during the renogram was followed in 24 patients by external counting over the heart; a much more sensitive index of total renal function, not dependent on urine flow rate, was given by the ratio of the counts at 30 seconds and ten minutes. In 11 patients a formula for comparing individual kidney function by the renogram curves has been correlated with divided renal function studies. It is concluded that the Hippuran renogram is a valuable clinical test capable of quantitative interpretation in regard to overall and individual renal function.