MR urography in evaluating obstructive uropathy: one stop shop

Abstract

Background: Any anatomical or physiological obstruction to flow of urine in urinary tract results in obstructive uropathy which is one of the leading etiologies of renal failure. So, physicians require accurate and early diagnosis of obstructive uropathy to initiate appropriate treatment of these entities for better prognosis of patient. The purpose of the present study aims to determine the feasibility, accuracy and diagnostic potential of combined static and excretory MR Urography in patients of clinical features of obstructive uropathy with sonographically detected hydronephrosis.Methods: A cross sectional study of 100 patients were carried in the Department of Radio-diagnosis. The results of MR Urography were compared with the results of post-operative findings and clinical follow-up.Results: In our study of 100 patients of obstructive uropathy, MRU better depicted mild to severe PCS dilatation, renal and ureteric calculi, impaired renal function, extrinsic ureteric and PUJ obstruction. Static-fluid and excretory MR urography provided a comprehensive evaluation of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, vasculature, and soft tissues in patients with symptoms of obstructive uropathy.Conclusions: MR urography provided a superior imaging of urinary system dilatation, the site and the etiology of obstruction. In conclusions, static and excretory MRU give both morphological and functional information in a single examination without exposure to ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast agent.