title: Magnetic resonance urography: initial experience of a low-dose Gd-DTPA-enhanced technique.
abstract: Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance urography (MRU) is a promising tool in the evaluation of the renal collecting system, but it can be limited by T2* effects resulting from hyperconcentrated gadolinium chelates. The aim of this study was to evaluate a low-dose dimeglumine gadopentetate (Gd-DTPA) MRU technique consisting of a dynamic fast low-angle-shot (FLASH) 2D sequence and a static fast imaging in steady state precession (FISP) 3D sequence for depicting the kidneys and urinary tract. The Gd-DTPA dose (0.01 mmol/kg) was established experimentally in a healthy volunteer study. Ninety-one patients presenting with various renal disorders were examined with a low-dose Gd-DTPA MRU and a T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) MRU technique on a 1.5-T system. Image quality and diagnostic value were considered at least satisfactory in 98.9% of the FLASH 2D studies, 83.5% of the FISP 3D studies and 78.5% of the TSE T2-weighted studies. Typical enhancement patterns were established for the renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma. The major limitations were motion artefacts and insufficient hydration of the patients. Low-dose Gd-DTPA MRU appears to be a useful technique in the evaluation of the kidneys and urinary tract, especially in cases of renal tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, II Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland. kazszo@priv.onet.pl
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szopiński
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szopińska
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borówka
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jakubowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA