Magnetization Transfer MR Imaging of the Kidney: Quantitative Evaluation at 3.0T in Association with Renal Function

Akira Yamamoto¹, Katsuyoshi Ito¹, Yasufumi Noda¹, Akihiko Kanki¹, Atsushi Higaki¹, Daigo Tanimoto¹, Tsutomu Tamada¹

44 patients who underwent abdominal MR imaging at 3.0T system including GRE sequences with and without MT pulse were included. MT ratio of the renal cortex and medulla was measured. The relationship between eGFR and MTR of the renal cortex and medulla was determined by linear regression analysis. Regression analysis showed good correlation between eGFR and MTR of the renal cortex (r=-0.645, p<0.0001), although regression analysis showed no significant relationship between eGFR and MTR of the renal medulla (r=0.008, p=0.96). This technique has a potential to evaluate the degree of renal function non-invasively in patients with renal impairment.