Functional renal MR imaging: an overview.
Due to its complementary information to standard morphological imaging, functional renal magnetic resonance imaging is a rapid growing field of radiology. This pictorial essay provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art functional renal imaging techniques including renal magnetic resonance angiography, first pass renal perfusion, assessment of renal function, blood-oxygen level dependent imaging of the kidneys and diffusion-weighted imaging of the kidneys including diffusion-tensor imaging of the kidneys. Basic technical concepts for all sequences are laid out. As renal perfusion imaging becomes a clinical routine examination, particular attention is given to renal perfusion measurements and the potential postprocessing approaches. Advantages and drawbacks of the published methods are illustrated. Future applications of functional renal imaging are presented.
Michaely
Henrik J
HJ
Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospitals—Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany. Henrik.Michaely@med.uni-muenchen.de
Sourbron
Steven
S
Dietrich
Olaf
O
Attenberger
Ulrike
U
Reiser
Maximilian F
MF
Schoenberg
Stefan O
SO
D003287:Contrast Media; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media