Mri of the retroperitoneum

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as an important imaging modality in disorders of the abdomen. Retroperitoneal pathologies are uncommon, and their diagnosis and characterization can be challenging. MRI has several advantages in the evaluation of these disorders including high inherent contrast resolution that allows tissue characterization, good spatial resolution, wide eld-of-view, and multiplanar imagingcapabilities. However, the modality is expensive, not widely available, and has several contraindications and limitations, the latter including patient claustrophobia. In addition, caution should be exercised in administering gadolinium-based contrast agents to patients with severe renal dysfunction due to the potential risk of nephrogenic systemic brosis (NSF).