Gadolinium-enhanced mr imaging of normal renal transplants -: An evaluation of a T1-weighted dynamic echo-planar sequence

Purpose. To evaluate the potential usefulness of dynamic MR with echoplanar imaging (EPI) in assessing the renal function in patients with renal allografts. Material and Methods: Using a TI-weighted sequence, EPI was performed after injection of a Gd-chelate in 17 patients with normally functioning renal allografts, Time-intensity curves were plotted from the signal intensity (SI) measurements of the cortex and the medulla. Results. The pattern of corticomedullar differentiation (CMD) observed after contrast enhancement was divided into four phases using the TI-EPI. After a rapid decrease in the SI of cortical structures, and a subsequent return to precontrast levels, a gradual fall in the SI of the medulla was observed. The average time between the two periods of signal loss was 60 s. Conclusion: This study illustrated the potential use of dynamic T1-EPI to demonstrate contrast-induced CMD in renal allografts.