PURPOSE: To 1) assess the potential of magnetization transfer (MT)-weighted MR imaging to improve the often poor visibility of native kidneys in patients with a renal transplant; and 2) compare low-field MR imaging and ultrasonography (US) for imaging these fibrotic kidney remnants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-two native kidneys of 36 patients were prospectively evaluated with US and MR. In low-field (0.1 T) MR imaging, T1-, T2- and MT-weighted sequences were used. MT-weighted images were compared with T2-weighted images in their ability to delineate the kidneys from their surroundings whereas US and MR were compared for detection of renal cysts and possible solid tumors. RESULTS: MT-weighted images proved superior to conventional T2-weighted images in producing contrast between the kidney remnants and their fatty surroundings. Although US revealed a few small renal cysts that were not seen at MR images, no statistical difference was found between the two modalities in this respect. CONCLUSION: MT imaging, due to its unique protein-specific signal depression, offers significantly improved visualization and delineation of end-stage kidneys. US, because its better availability and cost-benefit ratio, remains the method-of-choice compared to low-field MR imaging in detecting cysts in multicystic kidneys. MR investigation is helpful in selected patients and may be used as an alternative.
PURPOSE: To 1) assess the potential of magnetization transfer (MT)-weighted MR imaging to improve the often poor visibility of native kidneys in patients with a renal transplant; and 2) compare low-field MR imaging and ultrasonography (US) for imaging these fibrotic kidney remnants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-two native kidneys of 36 patients were prospectively evaluated with US and MR. In low-field (0.1 T) MR imaging, T1-, T2- and MT-weighted sequences were used. MT-weighted images were compared with T2-weighted images in their ability to delineate the kidneys from their surroundings whereas US and MR were compared for detection of renal cysts and possible solid tumors. RESULTS: MT-weighted images proved superior to conventional T2-weighted images in producing contrast between the kidney remnants and their fatty surroundings. Although US revealed a few small renal cysts that were not seen at MR images, no statistical difference was found between the two modalities in this respect. CONCLUSION: MT imaging, due to its unique protein-specific signal depression, offers significantly improved visualization and delineation of end-stage kidneys. US, because its better availability and cost-benefit ratio, remains the method-of-choice compared to low-field MR imaging in detecting cysts in multicystic kidneys. MR investigation is helpful in selected patients and may be used as an alternative.
Authors: Timothy L Kline; Marie E Edwards; Ishan Garg; Maria V Irazabal; Panagiotis Korfiatis; Peter C Harris; Bernard F King; Vicente E Torres; Sudhakar K Venkatesh; Bradley J Erickson Journal: Abdom Radiol (NY) Date: 2018-03
Authors: Timothy L Kline; Panagiotis Korfiatis; Marie E Edwards; Kyongtae T Bae; Alan Yu; Arlene B Chapman; Michal Mrug; Jared J Grantham; Douglas Landsittel; William M Bennett; Bernard F King; Peter C Harris; Vicente E Torres; Bradley J Erickson Journal: Kidney Int Date: 2017-05-20 Impact factor: 10.612
Authors: Timothy L Kline; Maria V Irazabal; Behzad Ebrahimi; Katharina Hopp; Kelly N Udoji; Joshua D Warner; Panagiotis Korfiatis; Prasanna K Mishra; Slobodan I Macura; Sudhakar K Venkatesh; Lilach O Lerman; Peter C Harris; Vicente E Torres; Bernard F King; Bradley J Erickson Journal: Magn Reson Med Date: 2015-05-13 Impact factor: 4.668