Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the kidney.

Abstract

The role of NMR imaging of the kidney was analyzed in 18 persons (6 normal volunteers, 3 patients with pelvocaliectasis, 2 with peripelvic cysts, 1 with renal sinus lipomatosis, 3 with renal failure, 1 with glycogen storage disease and 2 with polycystic kidney disease). Ultrasound and/or computed tomography (CT) studies were available for comparison in every case. In the normal kidney distinct anatomical structures were clearly differentiated by NMR. The best anatomical detail was obtained with spin echo (SE) imaging, using a pulse sequence interval of 1000 ms and an echo delay time of 28 ms. In the evaluation of normal and pathological conditions, all 4 intensity images (SE 500/28, SE 500/56, SE 1000/28, and SE 1000/56) have to be analyzed. No definite advantage was found in using SE imaging with a pulse sequence interval of 1500 ms. Inversion recovery imaging enhanced the differences between the cortex and medulla, but it had a low signal-to-noise level and a suboptimal overall resolution. The advantages of NMR compared with CT and ultrasound are discussed. Apparently, NMR imaging will prove to be a useful method in the evaluation of renal disease.