Nuclear Direct Renal Cystogram (DRC)

A Direct Renal Cystogram looks at possible reflux (back flow) of urine from your child’s bladder back into the kidneys.

Preparation

Your child can eat and drink as usual. IF your child has a heart problem, they may need an antibiotic before the test. Your doctor should prescribe the antibiotic and instruct you on how to take it.

The scan will take up to 60 minutes. A parent or guardian may stay with the child during the test.  Siblings are not allowed in the room during the test. 

What to expect

Your child will need a urinary catheter (a small tube inserted where your child pees) for this test.  After catheter insertion, a small amount of radioactive medicine will be added to some saline (salt water).  This saline will be used to fill your child’s bladder. 

Your child will be asked to hold their pee until a specific volume is reached. Pictures using a special camera will begin as soon as the bladder begins to fill. Depending on your child’s age, they will be either asked to lie down on a narrow bed with a seat belt across their body or sit on a special potty while pictures are being taken with a special camera positioned behind them.  A maximum of 3 attempts will be done if your child pees before we could get our required volume of saline into the bladder. 

Post test

Nothing needs to be done. Your child’s bladder will be completely emptied before he/she leaves our department.

The scan results are given by a doctor specialized in Nuclear Medicine and not by the technologist doing the test.  A report is sent to your doctor’s office, usually within 2-3 business days.

Please call the Nuclear Medicine Department at 416-813-6065 if you have any questions about the procedure or if you need to change the appointment.