%0 Journal Article
%T Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging in monitoring the function of kidney allograft
%A Damian Wojcik
%A Joanna Sanko-Resmer
%A Joanna Wojtowicz
%A Katarzyna Sulkowska
%A Marek Golebiowski
%A Marek Leszkiewicz
%A Michal Ciszek
%A Piotr Palczewski
%J Acta Radiologica
%@ 1600-0455
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0284185118802598
%X Non-invasive alternatives to percutaneous renal biopsy are sought for follow-up of renal allografts. To evaluate the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging in monitoring and predicting the function of renal allografts. Thirty-five kidney recipients were examined on a 1.5-T MR unit approximately three and 18 months after transplantation. Based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), patients were divided into three groups: improved; declined; and stable graft function. Diffusion parameters were calculated with the use of monoexponential (total apparent diffusion coefficient [ADCT]) and biexponential (pure diffusion coefficient [D], perfusion fraction [Fp]) model and compared among and within study groups using Kruskal¨CWallis, Mann¨CWhitney, and Wilcoxon matched pairs tests. Diffusion parameters were correlated with eGFR using Spearman¡¯s rank correlation coefficients. Results of tests with P values£¿<£¿0.05 were considered statistically significant. Values of diffusion parameters, especially Fp, were lower in patients with a declined graft function; however, statistically significant intergroup differences were observed only in a limited number of parameters at the time of follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). None of the diffusion parameters from the baseline MRI correlated with the change in eGFR over time. Flow-related diffusion parameters calculated with the IVIM model showed high variability. We observed a trend toward a decrease in values of diffusion parameters in patients with a declined graft function. Further research is needed to verify a clinical usefulness of this observation
%K Kidney transplantation
%K diffusion magnetic resonance imaging
%K glomerular filtration rate
%K least-squares analysis
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0284185118802598