[Nuclear magnetic resonance tomographic studies following experimental ligation of the renal artery in rats].

MR was carried out on 22 Han-Wistar rats in relation to ligature of the left renal artery; measurements were obtained before the operation and at two, four, eight and thirty-six hours afterwards. Significant increase in T2 relaxation of the left cortex was observed after thirty-six hours and increased T2 of the medulla on the operated side after two hours. T1 relaxation time in the cortex was also prolonged, but the medulla showed no definite change. Following the operation, there was an increase in the size of the opposite kidney after eight hours; on the operated side, the cortex increased, but the medulla decreased. The results indicate that MR is a very sensitive method for demonstrating renal artery occlusion at an early stage.