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[MR urography: technique and clinical application in patients with kidney transplantation]
1Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
Objective:
To assess the value of magnetic resonance urography (MRU) for the noninvasive postoperative evaluation of renal transplants.
Methods:
28 cases of renal transplantation were examined with a modified, heavily T2-weighted fast apin-echo pulse sequence and fat-suppression pulse aid. Post-procedure processing was performed with a maximal-projection (MIP) algorithm.
Results:
28 patients were studied. MRU revealed abnormal finding in 9 patients: mild dilatation of the renal pelvis without any urodynamic relevant obstruction (2), moderate dilatation of the renal pelvis (3), acute rejection (3), and ATN (1). Ureteral stenosis was diagnosed in 1 patients and treated surgically.
Conclusions:
MRU is an alternative to conventional urinary tract images techniques. It requires no radiation or iodinated contrast material. It is reliable and noninvasive in depicting the urinary tract. MRU can be used as a noninvasive technique for assessment of renal transplantation in cases suspicious of complication in the excretory system.
Insights
Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) offers a reliable, noninvasive method for evaluating kidney transplant patients. This imaging technique aids in detecting complications in the excretory system without radiation or contrast agents.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Nephrology
- Urology
Context:
- Postoperative assessment of renal transplants is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Conventional imaging techniques may involve radiation or iodinated contrast agents.
- Noninvasive imaging modalities are increasingly preferred for transplant surveillance.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance urography (MRU) in the noninvasive postoperative assessment of renal transplants.
- To determine MRU's efficacy in identifying complications within the urinary tract of transplant recipients.
Summary:
- This study examined 28 renal transplant cases using a modified, heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo pulse sequence with fat suppression and a maximal-intensity projection (MIP) algorithm.
- MRU identified abnormalities in 9 patients, including renal pelvis dilatation, acute rejection, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), and ureteral stenosis.
- One case of ureteral stenosis was successfully treated surgically.
Impact:
- MRU serves as a valuable, noninvasive alternative to conventional imaging for renal transplant evaluation.
- The technique avoids ionizing radiation and nephrotoxic contrast agents, enhancing patient safety.
- MRU is reliable for detecting excretory system complications, particularly when complications are suspected.