How sensitive is ultrasound in the detection of renal scars?

Abstract

The English language medical literature was reviewed to determine the strength of the published evidence for the assertion that dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA) is superior to ultrasound (US) in the detection of established renal scarring in children. The MEDLINE database was used to identify papers published between 1985 and 1997 that claimed to be concerned with the detection of scars, and contained sufficient information to permit calculation of the sensitivity of US relative to DMSA. Only 10 studies were identified. The sensitivity of US for scarring, using DMSA as a gold standard, ranged from 37% to 100%, and its specificity from 65% to 99%. These wide ranges mean that evaluation of the role of US in the detection of scarring remains controversial. All papers contained methodological flaws. Allowing for these, the sensitivity of US appears to be acceptable. Further research that avoids these methodological problems is required.

• Authors: D J Roebuck, R G Howard, C Metreweli
• Journal: The British journal of radiology (Br J Radiol) Vol. 72 Issue 856 Pg. 345-8 (Apr 1999) ISSN: 0007-1285 [Print] England
• PMID: 10474494 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid

Topics

• Child
• Cicatrix (diagnostic imaging)
• Humans
• Kidney Diseases (diagnostic imaging)
• Radionuclide Imaging
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid
• Ultrasonography