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Genitourinary Imaging: The Past 40 Years¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, University of Texas–Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin St, MSB 2.132, Houston, TX 77030. Received October 6, 1999; revision requested November 1; revision received December 14; accepted December 20. Address correspondence to S.M.G. (e-mail: chairman@msrad3.med.uth.tmc.edu).

Abstract

During the past 40 years, there has been a dramatic evolution in genitourinary imaging. This evolution has resulted in fundamental changes in the subspecialty. Uroradiology initially focused on radiographic imaging of the urinary tract and was practiced primarily by urologists. After the development of safe intravenous contrast materials, radiologists who focused on the urinary tract and worked closely with urologists forged major advances in urinary tract imaging and intervention. More recently, imaging of the extraurinary genital organs has been added to the subspecialty. Cross-sectional imaging techniques have supplanted radiographic imaging for both urinary and genital imaging. The emergence of the cross-sectional techniques, however, has blurred the traditional organ system–based distinction between gastrointestinal radiology and genitourinary radiology, as both organ systems are imaged simultaneously, and has resulted in a new amalgamation, abdominal radiology, with roots in both specialties. The challenge for the new generation of abdominal radiologists, trained predominantly in cross-sectional techniques, will be to maintain the close interaction with our clinical colleagues that the traditional organ system orientation fostered.

Index terms: Genitourinary system, 80._**² • Radiology and radiologists, history • Radiology and radiologists, research

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