Functional imaging of changes in human intrarenal perfusion using quantitative dynamic computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
Quantitative dynamic computed tomography was used with perfusion imaging to characterize intrarenal variations in perfusion in normal and abnormal human kidneys.


METHODS
Perfusion images were obtained from 14 normal and four abnormal kidneys, comprising a renal tumor, an infarcted renal allograft, and two kidneys in a patient with cyclosporin toxicity.


RESULTS
Images demonstrating quantifiable intrarenal variations in perfusion were consistently obtained. Normal cortical and medullary perfusion were 4.7 mL/min/mL and 1.1 mL/min/mL, respectively, consistent with accepted normal ranges. The changes in the abnormal kidneys corresponded with known pathophysiology.


CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomography perfusion imaging creates quantifiable images of renal perfusion with a spatial resolution currently higher than any other functional imaging technique. It offers the opportunity to characterize renal diseases by their relative effects on cortical and medullary perfusion.
Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, England.
K A
KA
Miles
M P
MP
Hayball
A K
AK
Dixon
D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007238:Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D007479:Iopamidol; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007679:Kidney Medulla / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D016572:Cyclosporine; D007479:Iopamidol