Polycystic kidney disease MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: M. Khurram Afzal, MD [2] Aarti Narayan, M.B.B.S [3]

Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to identify cysts smaller than 1 cm and to differentiate complex from simple cysts without contrast or radiation exposure. Renal MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease. Findings on MRI diagnostic of polycystic kidney disease include, T2 weighted images show enlarged kidneys with multiple cysts, normal parenchyma is absent, presence of fluid/fluid interface, wall thickening, hypointense signals in T2-weighted and DWI images, and hyperintense signals in T1-weighted images.

Renal MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease. Findings on MRI diagnostic of polycystic kidney disease include:^[1]

• T2 weighted images show enlarged kidneys with multiple cysts
• Normal parenchyma is absent
• Presence of fluid/fluid interface
• Wall thickening
• Hypointense signals in T2-weighted and DWI images
• Hyperintense signals in T1-weighted images

Note:

• When compared with ultrasonography, MRI is able to indentify a greater number of simple renal cysts because of its superior sensitivity for cysts <1 cm. ^[2]
• Although ultrasonography is preferred, high resolution imaging can be obtained using T2-weighted MRI, especially since CT scans are associated with radiation exposure. Furthermore, T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI images without gadolinium contrast can be used to detect the difference between simple and complex cysts. ^[3]

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