Dynamic MR urography in children with uropathic disease with a combined 2D and 3D acquisition protocol--comparison with MAG3 scintigraphy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate combined two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) dynamic MR urography with respiratory compensation in children with anomalies of the genitourinary tract, allowing for computation of split renal function and assessment of urinary tract obstruction.

METHODS

Dynamic MR urography was performed in 53 children (3 months-16 years of age) with anomalies of the urinary tract. A protocol for dynamic MR urography and nephrography was implemented at 1.5 T using a navigator-triggered 2D TurboFLASH sequence. Split renal function and contrast-medium excretion were assessed after the bolus injection of 0.05 mmol kg(-1) body weight of gadolinium dimeglumine. In the excretory phase, a 3D gradient-echo data set with high spatial resolution was acquired. In all patients, mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) scintigraphy was obtained as a reference standard.

RESULTS

In all children, dynamic MR nephrography and urography could be performed with excellent compensation of breathing artefacts providing region of interest analysis in nearly identical kidney positions. The assessment of contrast-medium excretion into the ureter allowed for discrimination of functional from non-functional stenosis. Split renal function assessed by MRI showed an excellent agreement with the MAG3 reference standard with a correlation coefficient r = 0.95. Additionally recorded 3D data sets offered good depiction of anatomical anomalies in all patients.

CONCLUSION

The proposed protocol provides a robust technique for assessment of ureteral obstruction and split renal function with compensation of breathing artefacts, short post-processing time and excellent 3D spatial resolution.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The combined protocol of 2D and 3D MR urography is an efficient technique for assessment of renal morphology and function.