(2016) Imaging the kidney using magnetic resonance techniques: structure to function. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, 25 (6). pp. 487-493. ISSN 1473-6543 Access from the University of Nottingham repository: http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39487/1/REVIEW_RENAL_EPRINTS_ALL.pdf
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Recent findingsA number of MRI techniques have been developed that provide non-invasive measures of relevance to the pathophysiology of kidney disease. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been used in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal transplantation, and appears promising as a measure of renal impairment and fibrosis. Longitudinal relaxation time (T1) mapping has been utilised in cardiac MRI to measure fibrosis and oedema; recent work suggests its potential for assessment of the kidney. Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) MRI to measure renal oxygenation has been extensively studied, but a number of other factors affect results making it hard to draw definite conclusions as to its utility as an independent measure. Phase contrast and arterial spin labelling (ASL) can measure renal artery blood flow and renal perfusion respectively without exogenous contrast, in contrast to dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) studies. Current data on clinical use of such functional renal MR measures is largely restricted to cross-sectional studies.
SummaryRenal MRI has seen significant recent interest and advances. Current evidence demonstrates its potential, and next steps include wider evaluation of its clinical application.3