How do MRI kidneys? MRI of kidney and urinary tract: diagnostic features

MRI of the kidneys is a highly accurate procedure, with which the diagnosis of abdominal organs is performed, which allows to establish the correct diagnosis, as well as determining the pathogenesis of developing pathology. This method is based on the use of a magnetic field, as a result of which this procedure is painless and safe. Assign it for suspicion of various diseases of the kidney and urogenital system. So how is MRI of the kidneys performed, what does this study show? Let's try to figure this out.

What is an MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging, which is the most informative, provides a three-dimensional image of high quality, which makes an accurate diagnosis. For the MRI of the kidneys and urinary tracts there is a minimum of contraindications. The procedure is safe, and it is not necessary to specially prepare for it, as, for example, to ultrasound. Also, MRI of the kidneys is well tolerated by patients because of the fact that it does not use ionizing radiation.

This procedure is carried out in two ways:

• With contrast - in this case, injected intravenously a solution with an iodine content that increases the informative value of the study;
• Without contrast - apply when there is an allergy to the solution.

Indications for use

MRI of the kidney is assigned when it is necessary to establish a diagnosis, as well as to assess the patient's condition before prescribing therapy.

There are following indications for conducting such a study:

• Chronic pain in the lumbar region, giving to the pelvis, sides and having an indeterminate etiology;
• Severe swelling of the face and extremities;
• Poor results of urinalysis;
• Unreasonable chills and fever;
• Blood in the urine;
• Weakness, fatigue and malaise in the background of colic in the lower back;
• Painful urination or disruption of this process.

What allows you to see an MRI?

Many patients are interested in the appointment of MRI of the kidneys: what does this study show during the diagnosis? Due to the effect on the body of the magnetic field, it is possible to examine many hollow organs that are located in the lumbar region.

Thus, magnetic resonance imaging allows you to see:

• In what state are the kidneys: the presence of stones, sand, their excretory capacity;
• Structure of the body: its size, morphological features of tissues, pathological processes in departments;
• The state of blood vessels, as well as the patency of the urinary system;
• Inflammatory or degenerative processes in the bladder;
• Presence of benign and malignant tumors, as well as metastases;
• Bacterial infections of the bladder and other organs.

Advantages and disadvantages of MRI

Such a study of the abdominal cavity has the following advantages: safety, painlessness, maximum informativeness, the ability to identify a large number of diseases at the initial stages of development. Such a high accuracy of diagnosis is not possessed by X-ray and other modern methods of investigation.

MRI of the kidney does not cause any harm to the patient's health and does not cause complications. However, there are certain restrictions for the passage of such a procedure. These include:

• Kidney failure;
• Allergic reaction to injected contrast;
• Presence in the patient's body of metal implants, pacemakers, fragments, staples;
• Mental illness, claustrophobia;
• Pregnancy, especially the first trimester;
• Excessive weight of the patient (more than 120 kg);
• If the procedure is breastfeeding mother, then after that you can not feed the baby with milk for two days.

In the presence of such conditions, the patient should notify his attending physician and the specialists conducting the procedure.

Features of the study

Before passing the survey, you do not need to specially prepare. You can take food, liquid, various medications. The only exception is MRI of kidneys with contrast. In this case, you should not use strong drugs.

Before the test, the patient must get rid of all metal objects (rings, watches, earrings, etc.). Then he lies on the mobile couch, and it is fixed with straps. During such procedure the patient must be in a stationary state. Thanks to this, a high quality image is obtained.

The patient is immersed in the capsule of the tomograph and acts on the body with a magnetic field. He can wear special headphones, because the phone is loud enough. The tomograph has a microphone, through which the patient communicates with the doctor. Data is output to a computer in a three-dimensional image. The MRI of the kidney lasts no more than 30 minutes. Pictures and their decoding are usually received on the same day.

MRI of the abdominal cavity with contrast

Such a study is prescribed if there is a suspicion of the existence of a tumor. In this case, introduce a special intravenous substance, which, passing through the vessels, begins to color them, accumulating in the organs and tissues. The quality of the images depends on how much blood flow is active in the desired area. The amount of contrast is assigned, guided by the weight of the patient. This substance is removed from the body with urine within 24 hours.

Thanks to such a study, hollow cysts and dense volumetric formations can be seen. In addition, the pictures assess the fluid in the cyst and diagnose inflammation and bleeding. This procedure is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Many are interested in the question of if they have prescribed MRI of the kidneys, where to do this study. The examination can be done in diagnostic MRI centers, which are becoming increasingly popular due to the popularity and high accuracy of the procedure.

Conclusion

Thus, if the doctor has appointed an MRI kidney, do not be afraid of such a study, since it is absolutely safe. But there are certain limitations for its passage, and the doctor must warn the patient about it.