Which method is commonly used for measuring the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in nuclear medicine?

The camera method, also known as the renal scan or dynamic renal scintigraphy, is commonly used for measuring the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in nuclear medicine because it allows for real-time imaging of renal function. This technique typically involves the injection of a radiopharmaceutical, such as technetium-99m-DTPA or technetium-99m-MAG3, which is a tracer that is filtered by the kidneys.

Following the administration of the tracer, a gamma camera captures images that reflect the distribution and elimination of the radiopharmaceutical, allowing for the assessment of renal perfusion and function. By analyzing the time-activity curves obtained from the imaging data, healthcare professionals can derive quantitative measures of GFR. This method provides a functional assessment of kidney performance and is particularly advantageous because it allows for visualization of the kidneys while simultaneously evaluating their functional capabilities.

Other methods of measuring GFR, such as serum creatinine and urinary clearance, rely on different principles and are not conducted using nuclear imaging technology, which is why they are not as directly applicable in this context.