title: Clinical role of non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography for evaluation of renal artery stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The association between a gadolinium-based contrast material and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis has been discussed. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) might provide sufficient information of renal artery stenosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The non-contrast MRA of 26 patients with hypertension was retrospectively reviewed in the present study. The significant renal artery stenosis was visually evaluated by comparing non-contrast MRA with computed tomography or conventional angiographic finding. Difference of the intensities between the proximal and distal aorta was quantitatively evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of non-contrast MRA in the evaluation of the renal artery stenosis was 78%, 91%, 64% and 96%, respectively. The distal abdominal aorta showed less signal intensity than the proximal aorta by 16.9+/-12.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-contrast MRA is a non-invasive and effective method that allows evaluation of the renal artery stenosis.
authors: Diagnostic Imaging Center, Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan. daisuke-utsunomiya@saiseikaikumamoto.jp
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Utsunomiya
authors: Mitsue
authors: M
authors: Miyazaki
authors: Yohei
authors: Y
authors: Nomitsu
authors: Yosuke
authors: Y
authors: Komeda
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Okigawa
authors: Joji
authors: J
authors: Urata
authors: Yasuyuki
authors: Y
authors: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media