MR urography: Anatomical and quantitative information on congenital malformations in children

Abstract

Background and Aim:Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) is considered to be the next step in uroradiology. This technique combines superb anatomical images and functional information in a single test. In this article, we aim to present the topic of MRU in children and how it has been implemented in Northern Greece so far. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the potential of MRU in clinical practice. We focus both on the anatomical and the quantitative information this technique can offer.Materials and Methods:MRU was applied in 25 children (ages from 3 to 11 years) diagnosed with different types of congenital malformations. T1 and T2 images were obtained for all patients. Dynamic, contrast-enhanced data were processed and signal intensity versus time curves were created for all patients from regions of interest (ROIs) selected around the kidneys in order to yield quantitative information regarding the kidneys function.Results:From the slopes of these curves we were able to evaluate which kidneys were functional and from the corticomedullary cross-over point to determine whether the renal system was obstructed or not.Conclusion:In all 25 cases MRU was sufficient, if not superior to other imaging modalities, to establish a complete diagnosis.

Influence of furosemide on contrast medium distribution in computed tomography urography of high-grade hydronephrosis in children

“…The role of CTU in children with suspected CAKUT is different – it is performed to visualize the anatomy of the abnormality [35] and adequate and homogeneous opacification of the hydronephrotic collecting system is crucial. In MRU studies, furosemide causes uniform distribution of the gadolinium contrast within the urinary tract and it is recommended in adults and children, for non-dilated as well as obstructed urinary tract evaluation [7, 11, 13, 36]. However, our analysis showed that there can be no similar effect in CTUs performed in hydronephrotic kidneys in children, and use of furosemide does not change CM distribution in a dilated collecting system.…”

MR urography in evaluating obstructive uropathy: one stop shop

“…8 Urothelial carcinomas can be seen as a sessile filling or polypoid filling. 9 In present study, 4 cases of renal cell carcinoma, 2 cases of ureteral carcinoma and 3 cases of carcinoma of bladder are identified. We used static as well as excretory urography sequences in cases of tumours.…”

Imaging methods in pediatric nephro/uroradiology: How far have we come?

“…Primjer rezultata funkcionalne analize mokraćnog sustava tijekom fMRU nakon obrade uz pomoć programa CHOP-fMRU prikazuje tablica 2. Iako se i danas kao metoda izbora za procjenu funkcije bubrega koristi renalna scintigrafija, danas sve više kompa rativnih studija pokazuje podudarne rezultata scin tigrafije i fMRU-a u procjeni bubrežne funkcije 27,[28][29][30][31] .…”