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Quantification of kidney fibrosis using ultrasonic shear wave elastography: experimental study with a rabbit model
Sung Kyoung Moon1, Sang Yoon Kim1, Jeong Yeon Cho2
1Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea (S.K.M.); and Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea (S.Y.K., J.Y.C., S.H.K.).
Summary
Ultrasonic shear wave elastography accurately quantifies renal fibrosis in rabbits. This noninvasive technique shows strong correlation between tissue stiffness and fibrosis, aiding in early detection of kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Medical Imaging
- Biophysics
Background:
- Renal fibrosis is a key indicator of chronic kidney disease progression.
- Accurate, noninvasive methods for assessing renal fibrosis are crucial for patient management.
- Current diagnostic methods often involve invasive biopsies, carrying risks and limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE) for quantifying renal fibrosis.
- To establish a correlation between SWE-measured tissue stiffness and histologically confirmed fibrosis.
- To evaluate SWE as a potential noninvasive tool for predicting renal fibrosis in an experimental model.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-eight rabbit kidneys were divided into three groups: ureter obstruction, renal vein occlusion, and control.
- Renal cortical stiffness was measured using SWE before and weekly up to four weeks post-intervention.
- Sonographic parameters (size, echogenicity, resistive index) and histological fibrosis were compared with SWE measurements.
Main Results:
- While initial stiffness showed no significant group differences, final stiffness varied significantly between groups (P = .003).
- Histological analysis revealed significant differences in fibrosis degrees across groups (P < .001).
- A positive correlation was found between fibrosis degree and SWE-measured stiffness (ρ = 0.568; P = 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic shear wave elastography demonstrated a significant positive correlation with histopathologic renal fibrosis.
- SWE shows promise as a noninvasive method for predicting and monitoring renal fibrosis.
- This technique could offer a valuable alternative to invasive biopsy for assessing kidney fibrosis.
