[Differential diagnosis of focal kidney diseases using nuclear magnetic resonance tomography]

The value of T1 and T2-weighted spin echo sequences for making a specific diagnosis of focal renal disease was evaluated in 105 MR examinations. Typically, hypernephromas are characterised by a reduced or only slightly increased T1 or T2 signal, whereas previous bleeding and long-standing abscesses result in increased signal strength, particularly with T2-weighted sequences. In this way, hypernephromas can be characterised; this is not always possible with CT. Angiomyolipomas also have characteristic signals. MR has no advantages in the diagnosis of recent bleeding, acute focal inflammatory lesions, metastases, carcinoma of the renal pelvis or atypical cysts.