Measurement of single kidney function using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: comparison of two models in human subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two methods for assessing the single kidney glomerular filtration rate (SK-GFR) in humans using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI.


METHODS
Images were acquired from 39 separate MR studies of patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD). Data from the kidneys and descending aorta were analyzed using both a Rutland-Patlak plot and a compartmental model. MR estimates of the SK-GFR were compared with standard radioisotope measures in a total of 75 kidneys.


RESULTS
Estimates of renal function using both techniques correlated well with radioisotope-assessed SK-GFR (Spearman's rho=0.81, Rutland-Patlak; rho=0.71, compartmental model). The Rutland-Patlak approach provided a near one-to-one correspondence, while the compartmental method tended to overestimate SK-GFR. However, the compartmental model fits to the experimental data were significantly better than those obtained using the Rutland-Patlak approach.


CONCLUSIONS
DCE-MRI of the kidneys provides data that correlate well with reference measures of SK-GFR. However, further work, including image registration, is needed to isolate measurement of glomerular filtration to the level of the renal cortex.
Buckley
David L
DL
Imaging Science and Biomedical Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, and Department of Renal Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford, United Kingdom. david.buckley@manchester.ac.uk
Shurrab
Ala'a E
AE
Cheung
Ching M
CM
Jones
Andrew P
AP
Mamtora
Hari
H
Kalra
Philip A
PA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D007700:Kinetics; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA