Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Carcinogen-induced Murine Bladder Tumors
Published on: March 29, 2019
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of urinary epithelial cancer with upper urinary tract obstruction:
M Takeuchi1, K Matsuzaki, H Kubo
1Department of Radiology, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
Background:
Various malignant tumors of the body show high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). In the genitourinary region, DWI is expected to have a role in detecting urinary epithelial cancer noninvasively.
Purpose:
To demonstrate the feasibility of DWI for the diagnosis of urinary epithelial cancer with upper urinary tract obstruction.
Material And Methods:
Twenty upper urinary tract cancers in 16 patients were evaluated by high-b-value DWI (b=800 s/mm(2)). The signal intensity was visually evaluated, and the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were measured.
Results:
All urinary epithelial cancers showed high signal intensity on DWI. The ADC in cancerous lesions was 1.31+/-0.27 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, which was significantly lower than that of the lumens of the ureter or renal pelvis (3.32+/-0.44 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; P<0.001). Maximum intensity projection images of DWI in combination with static-fluid MR urography provided three-dimensional entire urinary tract imaging with the extension of tumors.
Conclusion:
DWI is useful in the tumor detection and in evaluating the tumor extension of urinary epithelial cancer in patients with upper urinary tract obstruction.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
Urinary Tract Calculi I: Introduction

