Evaluation of Transplanted Kidneys and Comparison with Healthy Volunteers and Kidney Donors with Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Initial Experience.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance, by comparing imaging in renal allograft recipients for functional assessment of kidney transplants versus imaging of these features in healthy volunteers and kidney donors with native kidneys.


METHODS
Seventy renal transplant recipients (group A) with stable graft function at postoperative month 1, 40 healthy volunteers (group B), and 40 kidney donors (group C) underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. An echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging sequence was performed in coronal orientation by using 6 b values (0, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 s/mm²). The apparent diffusion coefficients were determined for the upper and lower poles of the kidney cortex and medulla. Relations between apparent diffusion coefficients and allograft function, determined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (comparing rates > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² [group A1] versus < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² [group A2]), were investigated in renal transplant recipients, and apparent diffusion coefficients in groups A, B, and C were compared.


RESULTS
Apparent diffusion coefficients were statistically higher in group A1 than in group A2 (P < .05) and statistically higher in group A than in groups B and C (P < .001). There were no significant differences between groups B and C (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
We observed that apparent diffusion coefficients of transplanted kidneys at postoperative month 1 were higher than values in native kidneys of healthy volunteers and kidney donors. In addition, apparent diffusion coefficients of transplanted kidneys with estimated glomerular filtration rates > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² were higher than transplanted kidneys with rates < 60 mL/min/1.73 m².
From the Department of General Surgery, Baskent University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Ümit
Ü
Özçelik
Halime
H
Çevik
Hüseyin Yüce
HY
Bircan
Feza
F
Yarbuğ Karakayalı
İclal
İ
Işıklar
Mehmet
M
Haberal
D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D008875:Middle Aged; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D014019:Tissue Donors; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging