Gabriele Masselli MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Emanuele Casciani, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elisabetta Polettini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Saadi Sollaku, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dennis Cozzi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gianfranco Gualdi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine the accuracy of three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) renographic method to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in normal and partial nefrectomy kidneys in pediatric patients.

The study was approved by the local ethics committee and all patients gave written informed consent. Twenty-four pediatric patients ( 13 male and 11 female, mena age 15 years range 9-18 years), who had undergone partial nephrectomy, underwent to MR examination at 3T scanner. MR renography was performed by administering the gadolinium agent using a dual-syringe power injector at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg diluted into a total volume of 60 mL with normal saline and injected at a rate of 0.6 mL/s. Renal perfusion imaging was performed during the first pass using a coronal 3D GRE technique with fat saturation with acquisition time of 1.1 seconds per dynamic scan. Two radiologists evaluated the Single-kidney renal volume, blood flow, glomerular filtration rate. Each total perfused kidney volume (cortex and medulla) was segmented using a semiautomatic algorithm based on user-defined intensity thresholds, morphologic erosion/dilation, and region growing steps. Reference standard of this study of the GFR and split renal function were 99mTc-DTPA renography and plasma clearance methods.  

The MR analysis of the blood flow and of the glomerular filtration rate correlated well with the 99mTc-DTPA renography and the blood sampling data (r = 0.98, P < 0.0001). We have found statistically difference between the parenchyma volume of the normal and of resected kidney (P < 0.0001), while we have found no statistically difference of the renal function parameters (P=0.075) .  

3T-MR Renography is an accurate method in assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Our data point out that Partial nephrectomy in pediatric patients initiates a functional adaptation in the kidney to compensate for the loss of a renal mass.

MR Renography is an accurate tool that makes possible to obtain both structural and functional data within a single examination without ionization radiation, especially important in younger patients.

Masselli, G, Casciani, E, Polettini, E, Sollaku, S, Cozzi, D, Gualdi, G, Dynamic Three-dimensional 3 T-MR Renography for the Measurement of Kidney Function in Pediatric Patients after Partial Nefrectomy.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9015656.html