MRI Abdomen and Pelvis MRI of the abdomen and pelvis can be useful for detecting APN, scarring, congenital anomalies of the kidneys, renal abscesses, hydronephrosis, and pyonephrosis [28-30], and imaging of the pelvis could improve detection of stones in the distal ureters or urinary bladder, congenital abnormalities of the distal ureters, and abnormalities of the urinary bladder, among other potential sources of APN. However, MRI has poor accuracy for the detection of small urothelial calculi [31,32]. Other disadvantages of MRI includes its relatively reduced ability to detect gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis [31,32]. Similar to CT, MRI is not beneficial early in uncomplicated cases [8,14]. MRI Abdomen MRI of the abdomen has high accuracy for the diagnosis of APN in a complicated patient but does not allow for a comprehensive assessment of the entire genitourinary tract. Failure to include the pelvis could lead to a missed opportunity to detect urolithiasis in the distal ureters or urinary bladder, congenital abnormalities of the distal ureters and abnormal ureteral insertion sites, and abnormalities of the urinary bladder, among other potential sources of APN. MRI has poor accuracy for the detection of small urothelial calculi. Another disadvantage of MRI includes its relatively reduced ability to detect gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis [31,32]. MRU The excretory phase of MRU does not confer additional benefit with respect to detection and characterization of APN in a complicated patient. Furthermore, MRU has poor accuracy for the detection of small urothelial calculi Acute Pyelonephritis [31,32]. In a small prospective study comparing CTU with MRU in adult patients referred from the emergency department for evaluation of renal colic or hematuria (n = 70), all cases of urinary stones were detected by CTU (100%) versus 79% of cases detected by MRU [43]. Another disadvantage of MRU includes its relatively reduced ability to detect gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis [31,32].
Acute Pyelonephritis. MRI Abdomen and Pelvis MRI of the abdomen and pelvis can be useful for detecting APN, scarring, congenital anomalies of the kidneys, renal abscesses, hydronephrosis, and pyonephrosis [28-30], and imaging of the pelvis could improve detection of stones in the distal ureters or urinary bladder, congenital abnormalities of the distal ureters, and abnormalities of the urinary bladder, among other potential sources of APN. However, MRI has poor accuracy for the detection of small urothelial calculi [31,32]. Other disadvantages of MRI includes its relatively reduced ability to detect gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis [31,32]. Similar to CT, MRI is not beneficial early in uncomplicated cases [8,14]. MRI Abdomen MRI of the abdomen has high accuracy for the diagnosis of APN in a complicated patient but does not allow for a comprehensive assessment of the entire genitourinary tract. Failure to include the pelvis could lead to a missed opportunity to detect urolithiasis in the distal ureters or urinary bladder, congenital abnormalities of the distal ureters and abnormal ureteral insertion sites, and abnormalities of the urinary bladder, among other potential sources of APN. MRI has poor accuracy for the detection of small urothelial calculi. Another disadvantage of MRI includes its relatively reduced ability to detect gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis [31,32]. MRU The excretory phase of MRU does not confer additional benefit with respect to detection and characterization of APN in a complicated patient. Furthermore, MRU has poor accuracy for the detection of small urothelial calculi Acute Pyelonephritis [31,32]. In a small prospective study comparing CTU with MRU in adult patients referred from the emergency department for evaluation of renal colic or hematuria (n = 70), all cases of urinary stones were detected by CTU (100%) versus 79% of cases detected by MRU [43]. Another disadvantage of MRU includes its relatively reduced ability to detect gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis [31,32].