Kidneys and MR Urography

Clinically useful images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder can be generated routinely on a 3T MR scanner. Although little has been published directly comparing 3.0-T MR imaging of the urinary tract with 1.5T imaging, the same benefits and limitations that apply to other areas of the body apply to urinary tract imaging at 3T. The potential benefits of improved signal-to-noise ratio and conspicuity of gadolinium enhancement and the potential for functional MR imaging of the kidneys at 3T are compelling, but need to be investigated further.