MR urography in pediatric uropathies with dilated urinary tracts.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance (MR) urography in children with urinary tract dilatation.


METHODS
Twenty-five children between the ages of 4 months and 13 years (19 males and 6 females, mean age 6.5 years) were evaluated with T2 weighted and contrast-enhanced T1 weighted MR sequences. Results were compared with findings obtained with ultrasonography (n=25), intravenous urography (n=18), Tc99m- DTPA scintigraphy (n=16), and/or micturating cystouretrography (n=13).


RESULTS
MR urography provided a superior imaging of urinary system dilatation, the site and the etiology of obstruction, and both regular and complicated kidney duplication than did conventional imaging methods. MR urography that used T2 weighted sequences was able to demonstrate 29 of 32 (90.6%) abnormal renal collecting systems. Fourteen of 21 (66.7%) normal systems were revealed by heavily T2 weighted images. Forty-six of 51 (90.2%) renal collecting systems could be shown by T1 weighted sequences. With this sequence, however, five collecting systems (9.8%) could not be shown secondary to poor renal function and/or dilution of contrast agent within the dilated urinary tract.


CONCLUSIONS
In children, MR urography may replace conventional uroradiological methods.
Kocaoğlu
Murat
M
Department of Radiology, Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, Turkey. kocaoglumurat@yahoo.com
Ilica
Ahmet Turan
AT
Bulakbaşi
Nail
N
Ergin
Atilla
A
Ustünsöz
Bahri
B
Sanal
Tuba
T
Tayfun
Cem
C
Somuncu
Ibrahim
I
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods*; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA