Abdominal Imaging

Urinary Tract Obstruction

Etiology Urinary tract obstruction (UTO) is a syndrome that may be caused by a wide range of pathologic processes. It may vary in the following: Degree: May be partial or complete. Site: May be unilateral or bilateral and may occur…

Renal Vascular Diseases

Renovascular Hypertension Etiology The most common cause of renovascular hypertension is renal artery stenosis, which may be caused by atherosclerosis (70% to 90%) or less commonly by fibromuscular dysplasia (10% to 30%). Rare causes of renal artery stenosis include arteritis,…

Diffuse Renal Parenchymal Diseases

Renal failure may be classified as prerenal when secondary to a reduction in the renal perfusion pressure gradient, renal when the result of intrinsic disease of the renal parenchyma, and postrenal when secondary to an abnormality of urine outflow. Prerenal…

Imaging of the Kidneys and Urinary Tract

Anatomy Overview The Kidney The kidneys are paired retroperitoneal organs that primarily function in the excretion of metabolic waste. They are bean shaped with a convex lateral border and a concave medial surface known as the renal hilum. On intravenous…

Lymph Node Imaging Techniques and Clinical Role

Lymph Node Imaging Techniques Imaging evaluation of lymph nodes forms an integral component of staging of various malignancies, including lymphomas, and is also helpful in the evaluation of certain infective and inflammatory processes within the abdomen. This has special relevance…

Diffuse Splenic Lesions

Normal Variants and Congenital Anomalies The spleen begins to develop during the fifth week of embryogenesis when mesenchymal cells aggregate between the two leaves of the dorsal mesogastrium to form a lobulated embryonic spleen. Rotation of the stomach and growth…

Focal Splenic Lesions

Splenic Cysts Non-Neoplastic and Nonparasitic Splenic Cysts Etiology Non-neoplastic and nonparasitic splenic cysts are classified into primary (i.e., epithelial, true) and secondary (i.e., pseudocysts, false) cysts, depending on the presence or absence of the internal epithelial lining. Primary or epithelial…

Gallbladder and Bile Duct Functional Imaging

Technical Aspects Functional imaging of the gallbladder and bile ducts is a valuable tool, providing critical information for the management of conditions of the biliary system. Modern functional techniques are noninvasive and can permit earlier and improved disease characterization resulting…

Focal Gallbladder Wall Thickening

Focal gallbladder wall thickening is often an imaging diagnosis and encompasses a wide variety of differential diagnoses. Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder form an important group of conditions that are included in the differential diagnosis of focal gallbladder wall thickening…