Abstract
We evaluated the value of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under low magnetic field in estimating functional recovery from hydronephrosis by comparing dynamic MRI using a low-magnetic field machine with radioisotope (Rl) renal scintigraphy. 1) Both in normal kidney and hydronephrosis, patterns of dynamic MRI were different from those of 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid renography in most cases. 2) The ratio of signal intensity of renal medulla (or inner parenchyma) and that of renal cortex (or outer parenchyma) at the 3rd image tended to be correlated with the grade of hydronephrosis on intravenous pyelography. 3) When signal intensity of renal cortex (or outer parenchyma) increased from the 1st to the 2nd image more rapidly than that of renal medulla (or inner parenchyma), improvement of function of the hydronephrotic kidney after release of obstruction could be expected according to the change in 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal uptake rate. In conclusion, dynamic MRI using a low magnetic field machine may predict functional recovery from hydronephrosis.
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