Correlation Between Computer-Assisted Ultrasonographic Parameters and Histological Findings in Glomerular Diseases: A...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Kidney biopsies are invasive; noninvasive imaging methods are needed to assess chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• Computer-assisted image analysis of renal ultrasound and Doppler parameters offers potential objective measures.
• Previous studies have explored correlations, but advanced analysis is required.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate renal ultrasonographic and Doppler parameters with histological findings in kidney biopsies.
• To evaluate objective measures like cortical-to-liver echogenicity ratio, corticomedullary ratio (CMR), and resistivity indices.
• To assess the utility of computer-assisted image analysis for noninvasive evaluation of kidney damage.

Main Methods:

• Correlated ultrasonographic parameters (cortical-to-liver ratio, CMR, RRI, SRI, DI-RISK) with histological lupus nephritis indices.
• Used computer-assisted analysis to extract grayscale values from ultrasound images.
• Employed multivariate ordinal logistic regression to evaluate associations with age and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Main Results:

• Increased cortical echogenicity correlated with severe interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) and lower eGFR.
• Reduced CMR was associated with interstitial infiltrates.
• Kidney size reduction was linked to IF/TA; resistivity indices showed univariate correlations with vascular lesions, age, and eGFR.

Conclusions:

• Computer-assisted ultrasonography parameters correlate with significant histological changes in the kidney.
• Cortical echogenicity and kidney size show promise as noninvasive markers for advanced chronic kidney damage.
• These imaging techniques may reduce the need for invasive kidney biopsies.