Related Experiment Videos
MR pyelography in 115 patients with a dilated renal collecting system
A Blandino1, M Gaeta, F Minutoli
1Department of Radiological Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Purpose:
To evaluate the accuracy of MR pyelography in the assessment of hydroureteronephrosis.
Material And Methods:
One hundred and fifteen patients, with variable degree of hydroureteronephrosis demonstrated by US and urography were subjected to MR pyelography obtained by means of two ultra-fast sequences.
Results:
Of the 228 kidneys examined, the collecting systems of 130 kidneys were dilated and correctly identified on MR pyelography, with only 2 false-positive results. The specificity of MR pyelography in detecting hydronephrosis was 98%. Accuracy in revealing level of obstruction was 100%. Sensitivity in detecting stones, strictures and congenital ureteropelvic junction obstructions was respectively 68.9%, 98.5% and 100%.
Conclusion:
MR pyelography can rapidly and accurately depict the morphological features of dilated urinary tracts with information regarding the degree and level of obstruction, without using contrast medium or ionizing radiation.