Urology

Clinical MRI applications according to various service lines are delineated in the links below. These pages detail each application, how to request the study, and provide references.

Resources:

In their lifetime, 1 in 6 men will be clinically diagnosed with prostate cancer. If serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) is elevated or digital rectal exam suggests a tumor, transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy will be performed to detect potential cancer, and assess its extent, volume and aggression. But the specificity of PSA is low, and TRUS biopsy underestimates the extent and grade of prostate cancer. MRI has a role in detecting and staging prostate carcinoma, and in evaluating men with a rising PSA after therapy.

MRI is an excellent modality to assess pelvic floor dysfunction.

MRI can provide detailed imaging of the urinary bladder to characterize masses, including size, depth of invasion, and presence of enlarged lymph nodes.

An MR urogram can evaluate for potential etiologies of hematuria. This exam is performed by hydrating the patient during the exam to distend the collecting system.

Coming soon.

MRI permits evaluation of potential renal donors to determine whether they are suitable candidates. It provides assessment of parenchymal volume and lesions, as well as depiction of the anatomy of renal vessels and the collecting system.

MRI can detect the presence of lipids in adrenal adenomas and myelolipomas to distinguish these lesions from metastases and pheochromocytomas.

MRI may characterize solid renal masses as well as cystic lesions. For renal cell carcinoma, staging information may be obtained with MRI, as it is an excellent modality for assessing transgression of Gerota's fascia, renal vein or caval involvement, and detection of lymph nodes.

MRI is highly sensitive for the detection of both hypervascular and hypovascular liver metastases.