Magnetic resonance urography by virtual reality modelling.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to create a 3D visualization of the urinary tract by a novel virtual reality approach, and to evaluate the usefulness of this method for papillary classification as compared with 2D urogram obtained by maximum intensity projection (MIP).


METHODS
In one healthy pig, magnetic resonance urography was performed using a T1-weighted 3D gradient echo pulse sequence. Post-processing was performed by means of an MIP algorithm and by using 3D virtual reality modelling, followed by manual classification of papillae as being either simple or compound.


RESULTS
The 2D MIP urogram demonstrated 6 simple and 6 compound papillae, whereas the 3D urogram demonstrated 5 simple and 7 compound papillae. In both urograms, some papillae were unsuccessfully classified.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of using virtual reality devices allowed 3D rotation and offered additional diagnostic information. However, further studies should reveal its feasibility in diseased kidneys.
Beigi
Navid
N
MR Research Centre, Skejby University Hospital, Denmark.
Sangild
Thomas
T
Terkildsen
Søren Vorre
SV
Deding
Dorthe
D
Stødkilde-Jørgensen
Hans
H
Pedersen
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013552:Swine; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000033:anatomy & histology*