Why patient should do the examination? (value of test).
- To determine the level and severity of obstruction in patients with dilated or obstructed collecting systems.
Who benefits from getting tested?
To substitute IVU in case of:
- Obstructive UropathyRenal failureRenal transplantation (Donors & Recipients)Contraindications for IVU.
- Collecting system congenital anomalies and surgically altered anatomy To avoid ionizing radiation in:
- Pediatrics Pregnancy
Are there any contraindications to the examination?
- Absolute: Only you can’t get MRI scan due to cardiac pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator implants.
- Relative: Ascites.
Examination preparations
- Routine medication should not be stopped.
- Patients should not eat any solid food for 4-6 hours.
- Patients should not drink any fluid for 4-6 hours, although non-sparkling water is permissible.
- Patients have to empty their bladder before imaging.
- If no contraindications exist (fluid restriction, congestive heart failure), IV hydration (250 ml normal saline)may be needed just before the start of imaging (on the MR table).
A brief description of the examination procedure
- Supine positiona moveable exam table.
- Straps and bolsters may be used to help you stay still and maintain your position.
- Devices that contain coils capable of sending and receiving magnetic waves placed around the body area being scanned (abdomen &pelvis).
- Static-fluid MR urography highlights the urinary tract as a static column of fluid (using T2-weighted sequences that exploit the long T2 relaxation time of urine.
- Breath-hold T2-weighted MR urograms can be obtained with either thick-slab SS-FSE techniques or thin-section SS-FSE techniques.
- 3D T2-w FSE respiratory-triggered sequences can be used to obtain thin-section data sets that can then be post processed to create volume-rendered (VR) or maximum-intensity-projection (MIP) images of the entire urinary tract.
- For cine imaging of the ureters, a thick-slab, heavily T2-weighted SS-FSE sequence can be performed.
- Cine MR urography is particularly helpful in confirming the existence of urinary tract stenosis.
- When the exam is complete, you may be asked to wait while the radiologist checks the images in case more are needed.
Where I can get tested?
- The exam is done on one of the latest MRI machines from GE, SIEMENS & PHILIPS in Alfa scan branches.
Are there any aftercare or precautions to be done?
- No. Except to evacuate bladder if the patient have the desire.
