Non‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging versus renal scintigraphy in acute pyelonephritis

The utility of non‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) has not been examined extensively for diagnosing acute pyelonephritis ( APN ) in children. The aims of this study were to compare non‐enhanced MRI with technetium‐99  m dimercaptosuccinic acid ( 99m Tc‐ DMSA ) renal scintigraphy in detecting APN . Six boys and one girl with temperature ≥38°C and positive urine culture received both non‐enhanced MRI with whole body diffusion‐weighted imaging ( DWI ) and 99m Tc‐ DMSA scintigraphy ≤7 days from the fever onset. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI in detecting APN lesions diagnosed on 99m Tc‐ DMSA scintigraphy were 80% and 100%, respectively. Non‐enhanced MRI in children with suspected APN ≤7 days from fever onset might be a suitable replacement for 99m Tc‐ DMSA scintigraphy for the detection of APN .