3 Tesla-Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: The Nephrologist's Point of View.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: CT, MRI and ultrasound are currently used for screening and follow-up of individuals affected by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI studies renal perfusion after gadolinium administration, with possible side effects, such as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical application of 3 Tesla (3T)-diffusion tensor image (DTI) in ADPKD patients, correlating its parameters, such as fractional anisotropy (FA), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) with kidney function tests.

METHODS: Eight ADPKD patients and 6 healthy volunteers (HS) were enrolled. FA and ADC mean values were calculated. And correlations between DTI-parameters, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated.

RESULTS: Parenchymal FA was significantly lower in ADPKD than HS (FA: 0.17 ± 0.03 vs. 0.22 ± 0.01; p = 0.02), whereas parenchymal ADC was higher in patients than controls (2.48 (×10-3) ± 0.16 vs. 2.28 (×10-3) ± 0.09), but a statistically significant difference was not achieved (p = 0.27). Direct correlations were revealed between eGFR and FA (r = 0.82; p = 0.0003), whereas an inverse correlation was found with creatinine (r = -0.77; p = 0.001). Similarly, ADC closely correlated with creatinine (r = 0.79; p = 0.0006) and eGFR (r = -0.620; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION: 3T-DTI is a promising radiological tool that could be used by nephrologists to evaluate ADPKD patients, highlighting early micro-structure alterations, without side effects and contrast agent administration.