Application of magnetic resonance imaging to physiologic and morphologic characterization of renal artery stenosis before and after angioplasty.

This study describes the application of dynamic gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of the physiology of renal artery stenosis (RAS) before and after angioplasty. The MR imaging findings are discussed and compared to those of renal arteriography. MR time intensity curves of the renal cortex and medulla are obtained. Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced and angiographic MR data were abnormal in the setting of RAS and improved after angioplasty. The diagnosis of RAS could be made by visual inspection of MR dynamic images or MR angiographic images alone. Dynamic MR provides cross-sectional physiologic imaging data that compliments MR angiographic data. The role of dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR in the evaluation of renovascular hypertension requires further investigation.