DMSA Scan
Shows kidney scarring and how much work each kidney is doing.
What is DMSA Scan?
A small amount of a tracer is given through a vein and taken up by working kidney tissue. Pictures taken a few hours later show scarred areas and how much of the total kidney function each side contributes.
- The problem
- Healthy for comparison
Why It Is Asked For
This test is requested only when the answer would change what we do next.
- To look for scarring after a kidney infection
- To measure how much each kidney is working before deciding on surgery
- To follow a kidney known to be at risk over time
Before the Day
- The child should be well hydrated
- No fasting is needed
- A numbing cream can be applied before the cannula if you ask
On the Day
- A small injection through a vein
- A wait of two to three hours, during which the child can eat, play or leave the department
- Pictures take 20 to 30 minutes and the child must lie still
What the Results Show
- Reports the split function as a percentage for each kidney
- Shows areas of scarring as gaps in uptake
- A fall in split function on repeat testing is one of the strongest reasons to operate
Is It Safe?
- The radiation dose is small and comparable to routine X-ray imaging
- The tracer is not a contrast dye and allergic reactions are very rare
- It is only requested when the result will change the plan
Common Questions
If your question is not here, send it on WhatsApp and the hospital team will answer.
Dr. Pratheep Samraj
Consultant Paediatric & Neonatal Surgeon · Palliyadi, Kanyakumari
Super-specialist surgical care for newborns, infants and children, with expertise in paediatric urology, congenital anomalies, gastro-intestinal surgery and minimally invasive surgery.
Related Pages
A DMSA answers one question: has this kidney already been damaged?
That answer is what turns repeated infections into a decision instead of another course of antibiotics. Bring previous culture and scan reports so the picture is complete.
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In an emergency — green vomiting in a baby, a groin swelling that will not go back, severe tummy pain, or a newborn not passing urine or meconium — come straight to the hospital or to your nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a reply to a message.