ABSTRACT
During the past 10 years, magnetic resonance (MR) urography has evolved to become a serious clinical alternative to conventional intravenous urography (IVU) and computed tomography (CT) urography. The concept of MR urography has been promoted with the intention of providing typical urographic views without resorting to radiation exposure. MR urography features different techniques to image the upper urinary tract in a comprehensive way that is not achievable with conventional IVU. The MR urographic technique is based on unenhanced, heavily T2-weighted pulse sequences for obtaining static-fluid images of the urinary system without depending on the renal excretory function (1). MR urography can also be performed as a T1weighted technique after renal excretion of an intravenously injected gadolinium chelate (2). A profound knowledge of the diverse principles and examination techniques make it easy to put MR urography into operation. Additionally, MR urography has proved to be of diagnostic value in numerous urinary tract disorders in adults and children. However, owing to the emerging problems of cost restraints in our health care systems, it is obvious that MR urography will mainly be regarded as a diagnostic tool of secondary preference after ultrasonography, IVU, and CT. Nevertheless, MR urography is certainly much better than being only a procedure of second or third choice. MRurography offers a number of first-choice applications and should not be limited to the use in patients who do not tolerate iodinated contrast agents. MR urography especially provides the option of being combinedwith otherMR examination techniques in a single session, such as standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen, MR angiography, or MR nephrography. This kind of integrative approach of MRI in modern uroradiology may help avoid the need for multiple, separate diagnostic procedures, which in the sum are costly, time-consuming, and sometimes even invasive.
