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Is DMSA Renal Scan Safe And Effective Scan?
Question: I was hospitalised due to UTI with mild left sided pyelitis and cystitis . Meropenem 3oo ng was given as iv thrice daily for 10 daus.post discharge on 5th XXXXXXX 2015 I was on septran 5ml once daily for 2 months. Now, I have been advised DMSA Renal scan and circuimsion.I want to know, if the first is safe and effective as I have heard that the test involves local anaesthesia and sedatives . please suggest.
Brief Answer:
It is safe. No need to worry. Get it done.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details as well as the attached prescriptions and reports. The cause of UTI needs to be evaluated. Certain anatomical aberrations often predispose to UTI and need to be ruled out. DMSA renal scan is done for the same. It is important to get it done. Please do not worry. It is a frequently done test and I have not heard of any complications till date even when done in case of a child of 3 months of age. Sedatives are given to younger children. However, it would depend upon the clinical judgement of the doctor whether it is necessary in your case. Some cases of skin rash etc have been reported. Please relax and nevertheless get it done.
Constipation is unlikely to be a cause of UTI.
In case there seems to be a narrowing of the opening of the prepuce, you can go for circumcision. But in case the prepuce is freely retractable and you make sure to clean the smegma from time to time, I doubt if circumcision is necessary.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
It is safe. No need to worry. Get it done.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details as well as the attached prescriptions and reports. The cause of UTI needs to be evaluated. Certain anatomical aberrations often predispose to UTI and need to be ruled out. DMSA renal scan is done for the same. It is important to get it done. Please do not worry. It is a frequently done test and I have not heard of any complications till date even when done in case of a child of 3 months of age. Sedatives are given to younger children. However, it would depend upon the clinical judgement of the doctor whether it is necessary in your case. Some cases of skin rash etc have been reported. Please relax and nevertheless get it done.
Constipation is unlikely to be a cause of UTI.
In case there seems to be a narrowing of the opening of the prepuce, you can go for circumcision. But in case the prepuce is freely retractable and you make sure to clean the smegma from time to time, I doubt if circumcision is necessary.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
My child (18 -months) was on momstar ointment for 1 month prescribed by a local paediatric doc amd there has been substantial opening since then.But, recently the urologist has prescribed circumcision and dmsa .
so,1) I want to know if the diff in kidney size (pls refer the attached reports) is acceptable or worrysome.As, per thr urologist the size difference is beyond the acceptable norms.
2) Also, is there radiation involved in the DMSA test and as told by you, who would decide wheather any sedative needs to be given, doctor or technician. Because, most of the time it is technicians who do the tests.
3) present medication involved:colax-7.5 ml @ bedtime & D well vitamin D3-1ml every morning.
Also there is frequent cough and cold.
Please suggest.
so,1) I want to know if the diff in kidney size (pls refer the attached reports) is acceptable or worrysome.As, per thr urologist the size difference is beyond the acceptable norms.
2) Also, is there radiation involved in the DMSA test and as told by you, who would decide wheather any sedative needs to be given, doctor or technician. Because, most of the time it is technicians who do the tests.
3) present medication involved:colax-7.5 ml @ bedtime & D well vitamin D3-1ml every morning.
Also there is frequent cough and cold.
Please suggest.
Brief Answer:
It is important to get the test done. You need not worry.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
1. Kidney size would not be a concerning factor. Abberations in structure are more concerning.
2. I do not think that the radiation would be a thing to worry about. It is expected to be tolerated without any significant side effect. Agreed that most of the times technicians do the test. But since they do it every now and then, they are expected to be conversant with the procedure. So, I guess that you can rely on their judgement. If given in proper dose, sedatives is not expected to be harmful and you need not worry about the same.
3. Most often the cough and cold is caused due to certain viral infections. It is not something to worry about. Giving some antiallergic should help. You may continue the mentioned medicines without worrying.
4. I think that the circumcision is not essentially. Generally the prepuce becomes freely movable with advancement in age. Nothing usually needs to be done.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
It is important to get the test done. You need not worry.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
1. Kidney size would not be a concerning factor. Abberations in structure are more concerning.
2. I do not think that the radiation would be a thing to worry about. It is expected to be tolerated without any significant side effect. Agreed that most of the times technicians do the test. But since they do it every now and then, they are expected to be conversant with the procedure. So, I guess that you can rely on their judgement. If given in proper dose, sedatives is not expected to be harmful and you need not worry about the same.
3. Most often the cough and cold is caused due to certain viral infections. It is not something to worry about. Giving some antiallergic should help. You may continue the mentioned medicines without worrying.
4. I think that the circumcision is not essentially. Generally the prepuce becomes freely movable with advancement in age. Nothing usually needs to be done.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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