Functional analysis in MR urography - made simple

Pediatr Radiol. 2010 Feb;40(2):182-99. doi: 10.1007/s00247-009-1458-4. Epub 2009 Dec 12.

Abstract

MR urography (MRU) has proved to be a most advantageous imaging modality of the urinary tract in children, providing one-stop comprehensive morphological and functional information, without the utilization of ionizing radiation. The functional analysis of the MRU scan still requires external post-processing using relatively complex software. This has proved to be a limiting factor in widespread routine implementation of MRU functional analysis and use of MRU functional parameters similar to nuclear medicine. We present software, developed in a pediatric radiology department, that not only enables comprehensive automated functional analysis, but is also very user-friendly, fast, easily operated by the average radiologist or MR technician and freely downloadable at www.chop-fmru.com . A copy of IDL Virtual Machine is required for the installation, which is obtained at no charge at www.ittvis.com . The analysis software, known as "CHOP-fMRU," has the potential to help overcome the obstacles to widespread use of functional MRU in children.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Software*
  • Urinary Tract / pathology*
  • Urography / methods
  • Urologic Diseases / diagnosis*