Radionuclide Cystogram (RNC) - My Child Has - Children's Hospital Boston

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Radionuclide Cystogram (RNC)

Radionuclide Cystogram (RNC)

Programs that perform this test

Nuclear Medicine/PET Division

Vesicoureteral Reflux

What is a RNC?

An RNC is a test used to determine whether you/your child have vesicoureteral reflux. This is a condition in which urine flows from the bladder back up to the kidneys.

RNC Scan Movie
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Why would my doctor request a RNC?

An RNC can help:

Diagnose reflux
Assess if your child has recurring urinary tract infections
To follow-up on patients with known urinary reflux following antibiotics or anti-reflux surgery
Assess if a sibling has reflux

How to prepare for a RNC?

There is no special physical preparation for this test. Typically a member of the nuclear medicine staff (child life specialist) will contact you at home to go over the procedure/details and to answer any questions and/or concerns in preparation for your arrival. The child life specialist phone can be reached at 617-355-4050. It is helpful to explain in simple age-appropriate terms why the test is needed, what will happen, and what you and your child can do to prepare for the test.

Your child may bring a security blanket or toy with them to hold during the procedure. We have various videos or DVDs to choose from for your child to watch during the procedure or you can bring one from home. If you/your child have any cardiac problems please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department prior to your appointment in case prophylactic antibiotics are indicated.

How is a RNC performed?

You and your child will be greeted by one of our technologists who will explain what will happen during the examination. You/your child will be given a hospital gown to change into and will need to void before the study begins. You/your child will be asked to lie on the imaging table. Girls will be asked to lie with their knees bent and dropped to the side with their feet together, in a "frog" position. Boys will be asked to lie with their legs straight. Your/your child's urethra will be washed sterilely with soap and water using soft cotton balls. It is very important that this area stay extremely clean so not to introduce any bacteria to the area. A small amount of xyelocaine jelly, which acts as a lubricant and numbing agent, will be placed at the urethra opening and on the tip of the catheter (small flexible plastic tube). The technologist will gently slide the catheter through the urethra opening and into the bladder. The catheter will then be taped to the leg to hold it in place. Urine that is in the bladder will be collected for bacteriologic testing. The catheter will be connected to a bag of saline solution containing a radiopharmaceutical called Technetium-99m. Imaging will begin and the liquid will flow from the bag into the bladder. When you/your child's bladder are full, the catheter will be removed and you/your child will be asked to void into a plastic container. A potty chair may be used for older and cooperative patients. The camera will continue to take pictures until the bladder is empty. A post void image may be required if the bladder does not completely empty during the first phase of the study. The entire test takes up to 30 minutes. It is important that you/your child remain still during imaging to obtain the best quality images.

What can be expected during the test?

You/your child may feel discomfort with the placement of the catheter. Our personnel are aware of the sensitive nature of the area to be tested and every effort is made to ensure privacy and to make sure the patient is as comfortable as possible.

What happens after the study?

Once the study is complete, it will be evaluated for quality. If there was too much motion, the study may need to be repeated. If there was no motion, you/your child will be free to leave and resume normal activity. After the test, you/your child may have pink urine or feel some discomfort the next two or three times when going to the bathroom. This can occur in some cases and will go away over time. Drinking extra fluids will help ease the discomfort. If you/your child are unable or unwilling to go to the bathroom following the test, try a warm bath. This usually helps ease the discomfort. Call your doctor if you/your child have blood in the urine, pain, fever or are unable to urinate after eight hours.

How are the results of the study obtained?

The images will be processed and then the nuclear medicine physician will evaluate and interpret the study and promptly inform you/your child's referring physician of the results.

How can additional information be obtained?

For more information about Nuclear Medicine/PET, please contact us at:

Division of Nuclear Medicine/PET
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Avenue, Pavilion 2
Boston, MA 02115
Main Number: 617-355-7010
Fax Number: 617-730-0623
Business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

How is an appointment scheduled?

To schedule an appointment please contact your referring physician as their office must schedule it for you. If you currently have an appointment and need to reschedule or are unable to make the appointment, please call us at least 48 hours in advance at 617-355-7010.


					Children's Hospital Boston is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School

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