Abstract

Objectives: This study aim to evaluate the indications, anatomical information, and diagnostic contribution of non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance urography (MRU) in pediatric patients.

Patients and methods: Thirty-three pediatric patients (17 males, 16 females; mean age: 10.6 ± 4.9 years; range, 5 to 17 years) who underwent non-contrast-enhanced MRU between January 2013 and December 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. All examinations were performed using heavily T2-weighted sequences that did not require sedation, and MRU findings were compared with concurrent ultrasonography results.

Results: Non-contrast-enhanced MRU provided excellent anatomical resolution, particularly in structural anomalies such as hydroureteronephrosis, ureteropelvic junction and ureterovesical junction stenoses, and duplicated collecting systems. However, non-contrast-enhanced MRU did not offer direct functional assessment of the kidneys.

Conclusion: Non-contrast-enhanced MRU is a safe, reproducible, and radiation-free imaging technique for detailed evaluation of the pediatric urinary tract anatomy. It serves as a valuable second-line diagnostic modality in cases where ultrasonography yields inconclusive or limited findings.

Citation:
Soydan IB, Kokmaz I, Çelikkaya ME. The role of non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance urography in urinary tract imaging of pediatric patients. Turkish J Ped Surg 2026;40(1):16-22. https://doi.org/10.62114/JTAPS.2026.202.

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

AI Disclosure:
The authors declare that artificial intelligence (AI) tools were not used, or were used solely for language editing, and had no role in data analysis, interpretation, or the formulation of conclusions. All scientific content, data interpretation, and conclusions are the sole responsibility of the authors. The authors further confirm that AI tools were not used to generate, fabricate, or ‘hallucinate’ references, and that all references have been carefully verified for accuracy.

I.B.S.: Conceptualization, literature review, and drafting of the manuscript; I.B.S., I.K.: Study design, data collection and processing, and analysis and interpretation; I.K., M.E.Ç.: Supervision; I.K., I.B.S., M.E.Ç.: Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.