Renal MR angiography: a comprehensive approach.
Renal artery MR angiography has now emerged as a safe, accurate approach to renal arteriography. A comprehensive examination, including both three-dimensional (3D) dynamic gadolinium-enhanced and 3D phase contrast MRA techniques, allows evaluation of both the aorta-renal and splanchnic arterial anatomy as well as the hemodynamic significance of any stenoses identified. The 3D gadolinium-enhanced MRA technique produces a contrast arteriogram but without risks of iodinated contrast or ionizing radiation. The 3D phase contrast technique is a flow-based technique, which may show dephasing in the presence of hemodynamically significant stenoses. A comprehensive examination should also include T1- and T2-weighted imaging for the assessment of potential neoplastic masses and the ubiquitous renal cysts. Through trial and error over the course of over a thousand examinations, this comprehensive approach to the MR evaluation of renal vascular pathology has emerged.
Prince
M R
MR
University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor 48109-0030, USA. mprince@umich.edu
D003199:Computer Systems; D003287:Contrast Media; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media