MR urography: Technique and application

PURPOSE: To evaluate a magnetic resonance (MR) technique for depicting the kidneys and urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with urinary tract obstruction and 20 without obstructions were examined with a modified, heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo pulse sequence (MR urography). In addition, six healthy volunteers underwent modified MR urography with intravenous administration of furosemide and ureteral compression prior to imaging. RESULTS: MR urography provided high-resolution images of the kidneys and urinary tract in all patients with obstruction with intact collecting systems. Anatomic anomalies were depicted in two patients. Intraluminal neoplasia was well demonstrated in both obstructed and nonobstructed systems (n = 4). Furosemide-enhanced MR urography provided fine anatomic and functional detail of both the kidneys and urinary tract (n = 6,). CONCLUSION: MR urography may provide an alternative to more conventional urinary tract imaging techniques. It does not require ionizing radiation or iodinated contrast material. When combined with furosemide and ureteral compression, MR urography provides fine detail and reflects function.