EVALUATION OF RARE-MR UROGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF URETEROHYDRONEPHROSIS

Objective: The goal of this prospective study was to evaluate the valu e of the fast imaging sequence called RARE-MR urography (RMU) for the diagnosis of ureterohydronephrosis. Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine patients underwent this procedure. The results were compared with thos e obtained by intravenous urography (IVU) and ultrasonography (US). Re sults: The accuracy of RMU in the detection of urinary tract dilatatio n and the localization of the level of obstruction was excellent (100% ). The determination of the type of obstruction, intrinsic versus extr insic, was 80% by IVU and 60% for RMU. The RMU sequence alone could no t specify the nature of the obstruction. Functional information about the obstructed collecting system could not be obtained. Conclusion: Th e RMU technique may be considered in the following circumstances: cont raindications to IVU (allergy to contrast medium, severe renal failure ), impairment of renal excretion, and failure to locate the level of o bstruction by US. The absence of ionizing radiations favors the promot ion of this procedure to study ureterohydronephrosis during pregnancy.