Morphometric magnetic resonance imaging study of the quadriceps tendon in hemodialysis patients: comparison with non-dialyzed controls

To evaluate the knees of individuals with renal failure who are on hemodialysis, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), comparing them with those of a group of individuals with normal renal function.

This was a cross-sectional, observational, controlled study conducted between August 2018 and February 2020. The cases consisted of 15 patients who had been on hemodialysis for ≥ 5 years and did not have a quadriceps tendon rupture. The controls consisted of 15 individuals with normal renal function who were matched (1:1) to the cases for sex, age, and physical activity level. The subjects in both groups underwent MRI of the right knee only.

The mean ages of the cases and controls were 50 ± 15 years and 49 ± 14 years, respectively. The median time on hemodialysis was 11 years (range, 10-14 years). Serum levels of parathyroid hormone, ferritin, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, and creatinine were higher among the cases than among the controls, whereas serum albumin and hemoglobin were lower (p < 0.05 for all). The MRI study showed a hyperintense signal in the quadriceps tendon in 11 of the cases and in three of the controls (p = 0.009). Knee joint effusion was observed in nine of the cases and in three of the controls (p < 0.05). The thickness, length, and width of the tendon did not differ between the groups. A hyperintense signal in the tendon was not associated with the time on hemodialysis; nor with the levels of intact parathyroid hormone, hemoglobin, or alkaline phosphatase.

Patients on chronic hemodialysis, even those without a tendon rupture, show a hyperintense signal in the quadriceps tendon on MRI.