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Diffusion kurtosis imaging of the human kidney: a feasibility study
Gael Pentang1, Rotem Shlomo Lanzman1, Philpp Heusch1
1University Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Moorenstrasse 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
|March 4, 2014
Summary
Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is feasible in human kidneys with adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This advanced MRI technique shows promise for functional kidney imaging, differentiating between cortex and medulla.
Area of Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology
Background:
- Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) offers advanced insights into tissue microstructure beyond conventional diffusion-weighted imaging.
- Optimizing DKI parameters is crucial for its clinical application in organ imaging, particularly the kidneys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of performing DKI in human kidneys.
- To optimize imaging parameters for DKI in renal applications.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of DKI-derived parameters.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy volunteers underwent DKI on a 3T MR scanner using respiratory-triggered EPI sequences.
- Three b-values (0, 300, 600 s/mm²) and 30 diffusion directions were employed.
- Analysis included goodness of fit, SNR influence, region-of-interest measurements for ADC, FA, MK, and reproducibility assessments.
Main Results:
- The DKI model demonstrated a superior fit (r=0.99) compared to the mono-exponential ADC model (r=0.96).
- A minimum SNR of 8.31 on b=0 s/mm² images is required for reliable kurtosis parameter calculation.
- Significant differences in ADC, FA, and MK were observed between renal cortex and medulla, with corticomedullary differentiation visible on FA and MK maps.
Conclusions:
- DKI is feasible in the human kidney, provided sufficient SNR is achieved.
- DKI parameters (ADC, FA, MK) show potential for differentiating renal tissue compartments.
- Further research in patients with kidney diseases is warranted to establish DKI's clinical utility for functional kidney imaging.
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