Multisystem Imaging Manifestations of Kidney Failure

Kidney failure (KF) refers to a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate to below 15 ml/min per 1.73 m², necessitating renal replacement therapy with dialysis or renal transplant. The hemodynamic and metabolic alterations in KF combined with a proinflammatory and coagulopathic state leads to complex multisystemic complications. The imaging hallmark of systemic manifestations of KF is bone resorption caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism. Other musculoskeletal complications include brown tumor, osteosclerosis, calcinosis, soft-tissue calcification, and amyloid arthropathy. Cardiovascular complications and infections are the leading causes of death in KF. Cardiovascular complications include accelerated atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, myocardial calcinosis, and venous thromboembolism. Neurologic complications such as encephalopathy, osmotic demyelination, cerebrovascular disease, and opportunistic infections are also frequently encountered. Pulmonary complications include edema and calcifications. Radiography and CT are used in assessing musculoskeletal and thoracic complications, while MRI plays a key role in assessing neurologic and cardiovascular complications. CT iodinated contrast material is generally avoided in patients with KF except in situations where the benefit of contrast-enhanced CT outweighs the risks and in patients already undergoing maintenance dialysis. At MRI, group II gadolinium-based contrast material can be safely administered in patients with KF. The authors discuss the extrarenal systemic manifestations of KF, the choice of imaging modality in their assessment, and imaging findings of complications. ^©RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.