Estimation of differential renal function on routine abdominal imaging employing compressed-sensed contrast-enhanced MR: a feasibility study referenced against dynamic renal scintigraphy in patients with deteriorating renal retention parameters

PURPOSE: To assess whether high temporal/spatial resolution GRASP MRI acquired during routine clinical imaging can identify several degrees of renal function impairment referenced against renal dynamic scintigraphy. METHODS: This retrospective study consists of method development and method verification parts. During method development, patients subject to renal imaging using gadoterate meglumine and GRASP post-contrast MRI technique (TR/TE 3.3/1.6 ms; FoV320 × 320 mm; FA12°; Voxel1.1 × 1.1x2.5 mm) were matched into four equally-sized renal function groups (no-mild-moderate-severe impairment) according to their laboratory-determined estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR); 60|120 patients|kidneys were included. Regions-of-interest (ROIs) were placed on cortices, medullary pyramids and collecting systems of bilateral kidneys. Cortical perfusion, tubular concentration and collecting system excretion were determined as Time(Cortex=Pyramid)(sec), Slope(Tubuli) (sec(−1)), and Time(Collecting System) (sec), respectively, and were measured by a combination of extraction of time intensity curves and respective quantitative parameters. For method verification, patients subject to GRASP MRI and renal dynamic scintigraphy (99mTc-MAG3, 100 MBq/patient) were matched into three renal function groups (no-mild/moderate-severe impairment). Split renal function parameters post 1.5–2.5 min as well as MAG3 TER were correlated with time intensity parameters retrieved using GRASP technique; 15|30 patients|kidneys were included. RESULTS: Method development showed differing values for Time(Cortex=Pyramid)(71|75|93|122 s), Slope(Tubuli)(2.6|2.1|1.3|0.5 s(−1)) and Time(Collecting System)(90|111|129|139 s) for the four renal function groups with partial significant tendencies (several p-values < 0.001). In method verification, 29/30 kidneys (96.7%) were assigned to the correct renal function group. CONCLUSION: High temporal and spatial resolution GRASP MR imaging allows to identify several degrees of renal function impairment using routine clinical imaging with a high degree of accuracy.