[Clinical use of MR tomography with a paramagnetic contrast medium Magnevist in patients with kidney cysts, tumors and hydronephrotic transformation].

The authors analyze diagnostic potentialities of Magnevist, a paramagnetic contrast agent (Shering, Germany) used in magnetic resonance (MR) tomographic examination of patients with renal cysts, hydronephrotic transformation, and tumors. Thirty-five patients aged 17 to 64 were examined, 16 of these with cysts, 8 with hydronephrotic transformation, and 11 with kidneys. Ten normal subjects were examined in whom quantitative parameters (signal intensity) were assessed before and after Magnevist administration. The diagnosis was verified on the basis of x-ray computer-aided tomography, ultrasonic examination, urography, and aortography, as well as histologic findings. T1-suspended images and respiration delay method were found the most informative for the diagnosis of volumic formations of the kidneys. Improved image contrast during the use of Magnevist is observed, according to our data, immediately after the agent administration and attains the maximum by the 20th-25th minute gradually decreasing starting from the 45th minute. Magnevist improves the informative value of MR tomography, helps a more precise assessment of the pathologic process type, localization, relationships with intra- and extrarenal structures, and, moreover, permits revising the previous diagnosis made on the basis of other methods, including noncontrast MR tomography.