title: Half Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo magnetic resonance urography for the evaluation of suspected renal colic in pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our experience with magnetic resonance urography (MRU) in pregnant women suspected of having obstructing upper tract calculi. The diagnosis of an upper tract calculus in the pregnant woman can be challenging. Recent evidence suggests that MRU can be used to effectively evaluate renal colic.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2008-2011, 9 pregnant women were referred for evaluation of suspected renal colic caused by an obstructing upper tract stone. All patients underwent MRU with a half Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) protocol. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed for demographic and clinical data as well as outcome measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the subjects was 25 years (range 20-34); average gestational age of the fetus was 23 weeks (range 9-36). In all cases, a renal ultrasound was the initial imaging study obtained, with nondiagnostic findings. HASTE MRU detected 4 ureteral stones and 4 cases of physiological hydronephrosis of pregnancy. In one case, interpretation of the MRU was limited as a result of patient motion. Of the patients with obstructing stones, 1 required endourologic management during her pregnancy and 3 were followed conservatively. No adverse events related to MRU occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HASTE MRU is an informative imaging study for pregnant women with suspected upper tract stone disease. Information gathered from this study augments that gained from alternative modalities, and aids in medical decision-making. The lack of ionizing radiation exposure, coupled with the capture of detailed anatomic imaging, makes HASTE MRU a particularly useful study in this setting.
authors.affiliation: James Brady Buchanan Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mullins
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Semins
authors.forename: Elias S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Hyams
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bohlman
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Matlaga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D056844:Renal Colic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000150:complications; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult