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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
[Comparison between MRI and the techniques traditionally used in the study of uropathies in children]
F Cáceres Aucatoma1, J Rodó Salas, A Capdevila
1Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona. fcaceres@hsjdbcn.org
Insights
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers comparable anatomical and functional data for uropathies as traditional methods, with reduced costs and patient impact. This non-irradiating technique shows high correlation for diagnosing various kidney conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Urologic Imaging
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Uropathies require accurate anatomical and functional assessment.
- Traditional imaging modalities have limitations and associated impacts.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers a non-irradiating alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate anatomical and functional information from MRI with traditional uropathy diagnostic techniques.
- To compare the physical and socioeconomic impacts of MRI versus traditional methods.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 22 pediatric patients (1-180 months) with uropathies.
- Comparison of MRI with echography, renogram, DMSA scan, urography, and cystography.
- Gadolinium contrast used for MRI; general anesthesia in some cases.
Main Results:
- High correlation (r=0.942) between MRI and traditional methods for diagnosing various uropathies (e.g., hydronephrosis, kidney duplication).
- 86% agreement with renogram for differential renal function.
- MRI demonstrated significantly lower costs and fewer patient visits/missed workdays compared to traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- MRI provides equivalent morphological, functional, and vascular information to traditional techniques for uropathies.
- MRI is a non-irradiating modality, potentially reducing costs, visits, and patient burden.
- Future applications may include integrated cystography and diuretic studies with MRI.
Background:
To correlate the anatomical and functional information obtained using MRI in comparison to the techniques traditionally used in the study of uropathies, and to compare their physical and socioeconomic impacts.
Methods:
For a period of eleven months we carried out a prospective study of 22 patients of both sexes ranging in age from 1 to 180 months. All suffered from one or another uropathy. Fifty-five percent of the patients were from external consultation while 45% had been diagnosed prenatally. The imaging techniques compared with MRI were as follows: echography, renogram, renal DMSA scan, urography and cystography. For the MRI gadolinium was used, as well as general anesthesia in some cases.
Results:
There was a significant correlation (r = 0.942 p < 0.01) between MRI and the traditional explorations for the diagnosis of hydronephrosis, horseshoe kidney, kidney duplication, kidney hypoplasia and hypertrophy, multicystic kidney, ureterocele, pyeloureteral stenosis, vesicoureteral stenosis, atrophy of the renal artery, and missing kidney. It was not useful for reflux. Comparing to renal function differential on renogram there was an 86% agreement between the results. The average number of visits was 5.7 and missed workdays 4.1. The cost as a result of MRI was less than that for other explorations (Chi2 = 27,909 p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
MRI provides the same information, both morphological and concerning functional quality, as well as vascular, as that obtained through traditional explorations. Irradiation with MRI is nil. At times it requires anesthesia. Its practice reduces costs, visits, missed workdays, and travel time. In the future it could probably be possible to carry out cystography and hydric/diuretic overload testing at the same time, the efficacy will be increased.
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