Three-dimensional fast field sequence magnetic resonance imaging of the scrotal lesions: is there a role for MRI?

Over the last 2 years, 25 patients with testicular masses detected at clinical examination or US underwent MR imaging, in addition to US. The findings of US and MR were compared. Imaging findings were correlated with the surgical and histopathologic findings. Finally, all MR examinations were retrospectively reviewed after the diagnosis was confirmed. The results showed that four patients were found to have extratesticular lesions and 21 patients intratesticular abnormalities. The extratesticular abnormalities included one case of simple hydrocele, one case of chronic hematocele, one case of infected hematocele with epididymo-orchitis and one case with tumor. The intratesticular abnormalities included malignant tumors [17 patients] and chronic inflammatory disease [4 patients]. Of the 17 patients with malignant tumors, 16 patients were primary and 1 patient with metastasis from Hodgkins disease. Of the 16 primary tumors, 11 patients had seminoma and 5 had non-seminomatous tumors [2 patients with teratoma, 1 patient with embryonal cell carcinoma and 2 patients with mixed germ cell origin]

superadded value of magnetic resonance angiography in evaluation of renal artery stenosis

The aim of this work was to study the optimal techniques, applications, limitations and value of magnetic resonance angiography [MRA] in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension, using digital subtraction angiography [DSA] as the standard procedure in most of the cases. Fifty-five patients were included in this study; all referred from Nephrology Unit for the clinical suspicion of renovascular hypertension. Ultrasonography [US] including Doppler [CDUS] examination was done to exclude renal parenchymal disease. Breath hold gadolinium enhanced MRA for renal arteries, followed by three dimensional phase contrast angiography [3D PCA] maximum intensity projection [MIP] reformatting images were done in axial and oblique directions. The study concluded that MRA is a sensitive procedure [100%] in the diagnosis of main renal artery stenosis, particularly those with significant stenosis near 50% stenosis. MRA is also a sensitive procedure in the following up patients with previous intravascular procedure and for the vascular assessment of transplanted kidneys