Sonographic Examination of Renal Function in Individuals With Long-term Spinal Cord Injury

Comparison of Sonographic Examination of Renal Function With Gold-standard Examination in Individuals With Long-term Spinal Cord Injury

Patients with long-term lower urinary tract dysfunction due to spinal cord injury presenting for a routine urodynamic control will be screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Suitable individuals providing written informed consent will undergo renal Doppler sonography and renal scintigraphy in addition to the routine examinations. Conclusions regarding renal function based on the clearance rate determined by scintigraphy (gold standard) will be compared with the conclusions based on Doppler sonography and Cystatin C clearance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• long-term spinal cord injury (≥10 years)
• age ≥30 years
• written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• dementia or severe intellectual impairment
• serious internal illness
• previous or current tumor disease
• known allergy to the radioactive marker (Technetium)
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• withdrawal of informed consent