MR UROGRAPHY - TECHNIQUE AND APPLICATION

PURPOSE: To evaluate a magnetic resonance (MR) technique for depicting the kidneys and urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patien ts with urinary tract obstruction and 20 without obstructions were exa mined with a modified, heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo pulse sequen ce (MR urography). In addition, six healthy volunteers underwent modif ied MR urography with intravenous administration of furosemide and ure teral compression prior to imaging. RESULTS: MR urography provided hig h-resolution images of the kidneys and urinary tract in all patients w ith obstruction with intact collecting systems. Anatomic anomalies wer e depicted in two patients. Intraluminal neoplasia was well demonstrat ed in both obstructed and nonobstructed systems (n = 4). Furosemide-en hanced MR urography provided fine anatomic and functional detail of bo th the kidneys and urinary tract (n = 6). CONCLUSION: MR urography may provide an alternative to more conventional urinary tract imaging tec hniques. It does not require ionizing radiation or iodinated contrast material. When combined with furosemide and ureteral compression, MR u rography provides fine detail and reflects function.