High resolution MR perfusion imaging of the kidneys at 3 Tesla without administration of contrast media.
OBJECTIVE
The feasibility of high-resolution arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging of the kidneys was tested and proven at 3 Tesla using a flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) true fast imaging in steady precession (TrueFISP) technique.


METHODS
Kidney perfusion maps of six healthy volunteers and two patients were acquired using a clinical 3-Tesla whole-body scanner. An ASL sequence with FAIR spin preparation and a TrueFISP signal detection strategy was adapted for high-resolution perfusion imaging of the kidneys at 3 Tesla. To avoid banding artifacts in TrueFISP images, which are generally prominent at 3 Tesla, a frequency scout was implemented. Perfusion maps with an in-plane resolution of 1.5 mm were recorded in transverse and coronal orientation. For fast mapping of whole-kidney perfusion, an in-plane resolution of 2 mm was applied.


RESULTS
In all volunteers and patients, high-resolution perfusion images with excellent image quality were able to be obtained in a measuring time of approximately 10 minutes. The whole kidney was able to be mapped with good image quality in less than 10 minutes. For all slices, a suitable frequency offset made it possible to reproduce the kidneys without TrueFISP artifacts. Perfusion values of the renal cortex ranged from 250 ml/100 g/min up to 400 ml/100 g/min (mean cortical perfusion right kidney 316 +/- 43, left 336 +/- 40).


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution ASL perfusion images of the whole kidney were able to be obtained with good image quality by means of a 3 Tesla MR setting within a clinically applicable measuring time, thus providing an alternative to conventional perfusion imaging involving potentially nephrotoxic contrast media.
Boss
A
A
Radiologische Universitätsklinik, Tübingen. andreas.boss@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Martirosian
P
P
Graf
H
H
Claussen
C D
CD
Schlemmer
H-P
HP
Schick
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply*; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000098:blood supply; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012079:Renal Circulation