Clinical application of nuclear magnetic resonance computed tomography (NMR-CT) in urology (preliminary report)

NMR-CT of whole bodies for urological lesions such as prostatic tumour, renal tumour, adrenal tumour and hydronephrosis have been obtained by a prototype machine manufactured by Toshiba Corporation since May 1982. The principle and features of this new imaging technique are reported, and clinical application in urology are discussed. This new technique for obtaining cross-sectional pictures through whole human body without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation, has proved to be useful diagnostic tool for urological lesions, and could provide us with information of the functional and/or physiological state of viscera. NMR-CT could also be an efficient method in diagnosing neoplastic lesions and will reveal their anatomical and pathophysiological natures in the near future. (author)