title: MDCT urography: experience with a bi-phasic excretory phase examination protocol.
abstract: The benefit of multidetector computed tomographic urography (MDCTU) for visualising early and late excretory phase (EP) upper urinary tract (UUT) opacification has been studied. UUT opacification was retrospectively evaluated in 45 bi-phasic four-row MDCTU examinations. The UUT was divided into intrarenal collecting system (IRCS), proximal, middle and distal ureter. Two independent readers rated opacification: 1, none; 2, partial; 3, complete. Numbers of segments and percentages of UUTs at each score were calculated for each EP and two EPs combined. Results of a single EP and of combined EPs were compared by Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks. IRCS and proximal ureter were at least partially opacified in each EP in >95%. The middle ureter was at least partially opacified in the early and late EP in 85% and 93%, respectively. The distal ureter was opacified in 65% (49/75) in the early EP and in 78% (59/75) in the late EP. Combining two EPs, non-opacified distal segments decreased to 9% (7/75). Significant improvement between a single EP and combining two EPs were found for the middle and distal ureter (P < 0.03). Bi-phasic MDCTU substantially improved opacification of the middle and distal ureter. IRCS and proximal ureter are reliably opacified with one EP.
authors: Department of Clinical Radiology, University Munich, Ziemssenstr 1, 80336, Munich, Germany. thomas.meindl@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Meindl
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Coppenrath
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Degenhart
authors: Ulrike L
authors: UL
authors: Müller-Lisse
authors: Maximilian F
authors: MF
authors: Reiser
authors: Ullrich G
authors: UG
authors: Müller-Lisse
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014513:Ureter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods