Current MRI techniques for the assessment of renal disease

Abstract

Purpose of review Over the past decade a variety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods have been developed and applied to many kidney diseases. These MRI techniques show great promise, enabling the noninvasive assessment of renal structure, function, and injury in individual subjects. This review will highlight current applications of functional MRI techniques for the assessment of renal disease and discuss future directions. Recent findings Many pathological (functional and structural) changes or factors in renal disease can be assessed by advanced MRI techniques. These include renal vascular structure and function (contrast-enhanced MRI, arterial spin labeling), tissue oxygenation (blood oxygen level-dependent MRI), renal tissue injury and fibrosis (diffusion or magnetization transfer imaging, MR elastography), renal metabolism (chemical exchange saturation transfer, spectroscopic imaging), nephron endowment (cationic-contrast imaging), sodium concentration (23Na-MRI), and molecular events (targeted-contrast imaging). Summary Current advances in MRI techniques have enabled the non-invasive investigation of renal disease. Further development, evaluation, and application of the MRI techniques should facilitate better understanding and assessment of renal disease and the development of new imaging biomarkers, enabling the intensified treatment to high-risk populations and a more rapid interrogation of novel therapeutic agents and protocols.

Magnetic resonance elastography‐derived stiffness of the kidneys and its correlation with water perfusion

“…An important imaging parameter in DWI is the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which quantifies the magnitude of the diffusion process of water molecules within the tissue . DWI has been shown to detect the changes in diffusion processes caused by kidney pathologies . A previous study showed that ADC values decrease with CKD depending on the extent of the injury.…”

Renal parenchyma impairment characterization in partial unilateral ureteral obstruction in mice with intravoxel incoherent motion‐MRI

“…Obstructive nephropathy constitutes a major cause of pediatric renal progressive disease. To date, the follow‐up of patients has been difficult as the progression of the disease is poorly understood and there is a lack of non‐invasive biomarkers . The indication for surgery generally depends on imaging criteria, requiring a few months of follow‐up of the patients.…”

Longitudinal assessment of rabbit renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction using two‐dimensional susceptibility weighted imaging

“…4,5 Renal biopsy is the standard method for assessing renal fibrosis. Several MRI techniques, [9][10][11] including blood oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) imaging and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), have also been used to assess renal fibrosis. 6 Ultrasound has shown some promising results in measuring renal cortical stiffness.…”