An assessment of Gd-DTPA as a CT contrast agent in the renal tract.

Intravenous gadolinium diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Gadopentetate dimeglumine, Gd-DTPA) is visualized as a radiographic contrast agent in the renal tract on computed tomography (CT). In this study the CT appearance of this contrast agent within the renal collecting systems of 12 patients is described following a Gd-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. The CT appearances are variable and not predictable on the basis of time from injection, age, sex or indices of renal function.