Age dependence of T1 perfusion MRI-based hemodynamic parameters in human kidneys.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between renal cortical perfusion parameters from T1-DCE magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and age in human kidney.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients (mean age: 53 years, SD = 15 years) were imaged using inversion recovery (IR)-prepared FLASH (pulse repetition time [TR] = 4.4 msec, echo time [TE] 2.2 msec, inversion time [TI] = 180 msec, FA 50 degrees , matrix 128 x 256, 0.3 sec/slice) during the injection of Gadolinium-DTPA. Tissue concentration-time courses were deconvolved. Renal blood flow (RBF), volume of distribution (RVD), and mean transit time (MTT) were derived from the resulting impulse response function.


RESULTS
Mean RBF, RVD, and MTT were 127 mL/min/100 mL (SD = 81 mL/min/100 mL), 40 mL/100 mL (SD 23 mL/100 mL), and 22 sec (SD = 9 sec). A significant moderately negative correlation was found between RBF and age (R = -0.447, P = 0.007), RVD and age (R = -0.420, P = 0.012). MTT and age did not show a significant correlation (R = 0.017, P = 0.924). Repeating this analysis for each gender revealed a moderate age dependence of RBF (R = -0.600 with P = 0.009) and RVD (R = -0.540 with P = 0.021) in the male group only.


CONCLUSIONS
T1-DCE quantitative perfusion MRI was sufficiently sensitive to demonstrate a significant negative correlation of RBF and RVD with patient age. This was due to a moderate age dependence of these quantities in males that seems to be absent in females.
Dujardin
Martine
M
Radiology/BEFY, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. martine.dujardin@gmail.com
Luypaert
Rob
R
Sourbron
Steven
S
Verbeelen
Dierik
D
Stadnik
Tadeusz
T
de Mey
Johan
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA