Evaluation of renal fibrosis in various causes of glomerulonephritis by MR elastography: a clinicopathologic comparative analysis

• Published in: Abdominal imaging 2022, Vol.47 (1), p.288-296
• Main Authors: Güven, Alper Tuna, Idilman, Ilkay S., Cebrayilov, Cebrayil, Önal, Ceren, Kibar, Müge Üzerk, Sağlam, Arzu, Yıldırım, Tolga, Yılmaz, Rahmi, Altun, Bülent, Erdem, Yunus, Karçaaltıncaba, Muşturay, Arıcı, Mustafa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amyloidosis; Biopsy; Bladder; Comparative analysis; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Evaluation; Fibrosis; Gastroenterology; Glomerular filtration rate; Glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - complications; Glomerulonephritis - diagnostic imaging; Hepatology; Humans; Imaging; Injuries; Kidney diseases; Kidneys; Liver Cirrhosis - pathology; Magnetic resonance; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Parameters; Proteinuria; Radiology; Renal cortex; Renal function; Retroperitoneum; Serum Amyloid A Protein; Stiffness; Ureters
• ISSN: 2366-004X; 2366-0058
• DOI: 10.1007/s00261-021-03296-1

Background Renal parenchymal fibrosis is the most important determinant of kidney disease progression and it is determined via biopsy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the renal stiffness noninvasively by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and to compare it with clinicopathologic parameters in glomerulonephritis and AA amyloidosis patients. Methods Thirty-four patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over 20 ml/min/1.73m 2 had non-contrast MRE prospectively. Kidney stiffness values were obtained from whole kidney, cortex, and medulla. Values were correlated with GFR, albuminuria, proteinuria, and degree of fibrosis that are assessed via renal biopsy. Patients were grouped clinicopathologically to assess the relation between stiffness and chronicity. Results Mean whole kidney, cortex, and medulla stiffnesses were 3.78 (± 1.26), 3.63 (± 1.25), and 4.77 (± 2.03) kPa, respectively. Mean global glomerulosclerosis was 22% (± 18%) and median segmental glomerulosclerosis was 4% (min–max: 0%–100%). Extent of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was less than 25% in 26 of the patients (76.5%), 25%–50% in 6 of the patients (17.6%), and higher than 50% in 2 of the patients (5.9%). Fourteen patients were defined to have chronic renal parenchymal injury. MRE-derived stiffness values correlated negatively with parameters of fibrosis. Lower stiffness values were observed in patients with chronic renal injury compared to those without ( P