Magnetic resonance imaging following unilateral occlusion of the renal circulation in rabbits.

Magnetic resonance studies at 0.12 T were performed following acute unilateral occlusion of the renal artery or vein in rabbits. Prior to occlusion, in vivo and in vitro relaxation times of the renal cortex and outer medulla were similar. After venous occlusion, T1 and T2 were prolonged on the occluded side, while the contralateral side remained unchanged. After arterial occlusion, the outer medulla of both the occluded and contralateral kidney exhibited prolonged relaxation times. There was a significant linear correlation between T1, T2, and the water content of the tissue. The authors conclude that quantitative in vivo relaxation times may eventually prove to be useful in diagnosis, although at present they are less reliable than those obtained in vitro.