Application progress of high-field magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and assessment of kidney diseases
10.12483/j.issn.1009-8291.2026.05.013
- VernacularTitle:高场强磁共振在肾脏疾病诊断与评估中的应用进展
- Author:
Yangyang XU
1
;
Jie ZHANG
2
;
Ruiying QI
3
;
Bo XIAO
1
;
Jianxing LI
1
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218
2. Department of Urology, Hangzhou Ninth People's Hospital, Hangzhou 311225
3. Department of Liver Transplantation, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
high-field magnetic resonance imaging;
kidney disease;
renal function;
renal tumor;
kidney stone
- From:
Journal of Modern Urology
2026;31(5):467-474
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
High-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), typically referring to systems with a magnetic field strength of ≥ 3 Tesla (T), offers significant advantages over conventional MRI in terms of higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and improved resolution. These advantages have opened new prospects for the assessment of kidney diseases. This review summarizes the application progress of high-field MRI in evaluating kidney diseases, focusing on advanced techniques for refined assessment of renal anatomy and function, including arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging, blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) oxygenation imaging, sodium (23Na) imaging, and quantitative evaluation of renal fibrosis. Furthermore, the review explores the value of high-field MRI in the diagnosis of renal tumors and kidney stones, tumor characterization, and its role in supporting treatments such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Specifically, high-field MRI provides new approaches for early diagnosis and accurate staging of renal tumors, as well as radiation-free detection, composition analysis, and preoperative planning for PCNL in kidney stones. Finally, the review discusses current technical challenges, practical issues such as equipment accessibility, and future development directions. High-field MRI is emerging as a powerful non-invasive tool, providing crucial support for improving the diagnosis, management, and research of kidney diseases.
