Pilot Study to Develop 3 Tesla MRI for Evaluation of Renal Tumors

Trial Information

Pilot Study to Develop 3 Tesla MRI for Evaluation of Renal Tumors

"3 Tesla" MRI is a new MRI scanner that in theory, can produce better images than currently
available MRI scanners.

Currently, CT scanning is the main way of evaluating tumors in the kidneys. However, there
are some patients who cannot have CT scans (usually, because of allergy to CT contrast
medium or kidney damage/failure). It is with these patients that researchers are hoping to
use a technique (using MRI) that is as good as CT scanning.

As part of your standard of care, your doctor is requesting a CT scan of your kidneys and
abdomen. If you take part in this study, you will have a "3 Tesla" MRI scan of your kidneys
and abdomen as well, within 15 days following your routine CT.

For the "3 Tesla" MRI scan, you will be lying flat on the MRI scanner, and as with a regular
scan, you will have a small needle placed in a vein in your arm to inject the contrast dye.
A diuretic, Lasix, will be given to help distend the internal tubes in the kidney to help
view your kidney better. The MRI scan will take between 1-2 hours to perform. As with
regular scans, you may be asked to hold your breath on occasions.

If there is a concern about your kidney function, blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn to
test your kidney function before you have the MRI.

Your participation in the study will be complete at the end of the MRI scan. The routine CT
scan will be the main decision making examination. However, if the MRI shows something
different and potentially relevant to your care, your referring physician will be informed.

This is an investigational study. A total of 45 patients will take part in this study. All
will be enrolled at MD Anderson.