MR imaging of renal and adrenal masses in children

A large variety of benign and malignant masses of the kidneys and adrenal glands occur in children. MR imaging is an effective technique for evaluating these lesions. It is a particularly useful problem-solving test in patients with equivocal ultrasonographic or CT results. The need for sedation of young children undergoing MR imaging is a drawback as is its relative insensitivity for detecting calcification. Advantages of MR imaging include superior soft-tissue contrast, direct acquisition of images in any plane, lack of ionizing radiation, and excellent depiction of the abdominal vasculature, bone marrow, and spinal canal.