In this study, the diagnostic value of renal function scintigraphy performed both without and with ACE inhibition has been evaluated using the new radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-MAG3. In cases of decompensated renal artery stenoses, the typical scan finding with this tubular excreted agent was shown to be a distinct parenchymal nuclide retention in combination with a delayed appearance of the radiotracer in the pelvic system. Using this criterion in 43 patients with suspected renovascular hypertension, sensitivity and specificity were 89 and 88%, respectively. Bilateral positive findings were non-specific; excluding them from the study, specificity increased to 100%. In renal insufficiency, captopril scans seem to be of reduced diagnostic value. Summarising our experiences, renal function scintigraphy using 99mTc-MAG3 without and with captopril was proved to be a reliable non-invasive method to detect or exclude haemodynamically relevant renal artery stenosis.