title: Magnetisation transfer MR imaging of the kidney: evaluation at 3.0 T in association with renal function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of using magnetisation transfer (MT) MRI of the kidney at 3.0 T to assess renal function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four patients who underwent abdominal MRI on a 3.0-T system including gradient-echo (GRE) sequences with and without MT pulse were included. In each patient, MT ratio (MTR) of the renal cortex and medulla was measured by using regions of interest (ROIs) placed on the MTR map image.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analysis showed good correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and MTR of the renal cortex (r = -0.645, P < 0.0001). Among 44 patients, 22 were categorised as the normal renal function group and 22 were classified as the decreased eGFR group. The mean MTR of the renal cortex in patients with decreased eGFR (mean MTR, 30.7 ± 3.2 %) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than that in patients with normal renal function (mean MTR, 25.3 ± 2.2 %), although the mean MTRs of the renal medulla in the two groups were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was good correlation between eGFR and MTR of the renal cortex derived from MT MRI at 3.0 T. This technique may have the potential to evaluate the degree of renal function non-invasively in patients with renal impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Magnetisation transfer techniques can provide new information about renal disease. • MTR values of the renal cortex correlate well with estimated glomerular filtration. • Higher MTR of the renal cortex exists in patients with renal dysfunction. • MT MRI at 3.0 T may be useful for evaluating renal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan. itokatsu@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
authors.forename: Katsuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayashida
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izumitani
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujimine
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onishi
authors.forename: Katsuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Genba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies