Karan Dara1,2, Jamal J. Derakhshan1,2, Andre Fischer3, Stephen R. Yutzy1,2, Nicole Seiberlich2, Jeffrey L. Duerk1,2, Mark A. Griswold1,2, Vikas Gulani1,2
1Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; 2Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; 3Physikalisches Institut, University of Wurzburg, Germany
True-SEEPAGE is a non-subtraction non-contrast based segmented imaging technique which can be used to study renal perfusion and function while avoiding the problem of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis that may be associated with Gd-based contrast agents. In True-SEEPAGE, the stationary tissue is saturated and the unsaturated spins from inflowing are imaged, giving rise to a true perfusion signal in the kidney. Observed perfusion is seen as a function of renal arterial blood flow. This technique may, in the future, be used to detect and characterize tumors in the kidney without the administration of contrast agents.