MR Imaging of the Fetal Genitourinary Tract

Fetal MR imaging overcomes many of the technical barriers of ultrasound and is an important diagnostic tool for fetal genitourinary (GU) anomalies. It is suited for evaluation of GU anomalies because of the fluid-sensitive sequences and superior soft tissue contrast. Often GU malformations are part of a multisystem genetic or congenital condition, and imaging the entire fetus with MR adds additional clarity about the extent of disease. It adds confidence to diagnoses of renal agenesis, urinary tract dilation, cystic disease, and tumors. It is particularly useful to delineate anatomy in complex GU malformations. This additional information guides counseling.