Arnold Goes for a DMSA Scan

WARNING — Review of this information is overdue. It may be out of date.

Danny was listening too and he piped up “What are they going to do to Arnold?”

“Yes” said Arnold “What will they do? Will it hurt?”

Dad started to tell him all about it. First they would go to the ward where the nurses would want to weigh Arnold, measure his height and take his blood pressure and they might also want to test some of his wee. None of these things hurt although the blood pressure machine would squeeze his arm firmly. The nurse would put some EMLA cream on Arnold’s hand and cover it up. That would mean that Arnold would not feel how sharp the needle was when the doctor came to take his blood.

The doctor might want to have a look at Arnold’s tummy and would ask Mum and Dad some questions.

After all this the doctor would need to put a small needle into Arnold’s hand. The doctor would leave a small plastic tube there so that Arnold would not have to have any more needles that day. Wasn’t that good? The little plastic tube would be stuck with sticky tape to keep it safe. The doctors could take blood out of the little tube using only a syringe, no needles, and that may hardly hurt at all.

The doctor would also be able to put an injection into the little plastic tube which would help show how well Arnold’s kidneys were working. The doctor would put it in using only a syringe, and no needles. That wouldn’t hurt either.

NKF Controlled Document No. 92, Arnold Goes for a DMSA Scan - 2, written 31 January 2007. Last reviewed 31 January 2007.

Content compiled by members of the Children’s Renal & Urology Unit, QMC Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals.

The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.

The National Kidney Federation is registered in England and Wales as a Company limited by guarantee (Company No 5272349) and awarded charitable status (Charity Number 1106735). Give as You Earn contributions No. CAF GY511.

Registered Office:- The Point, Coach Road, Shireoaks, Worksop, Notts S81 8BW, Tel: (01909) 544999, Fax: (01909) 481723, Helpline: (0845) 601 02 09, E-mail:  NKF on  Fundraising on  Follow us on 

This website is intended for UK residents only.
If you have any comments about this site, please EMAIL the webmaster