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Monoexponential, biexponential, stretched-exponential and kurtosis models of diffusion-weighted imaging in kidney assessment: comparison between patients with primary aldosteronism and healthy controls

  • Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, Retroperitoneum
  • Published:
Abdominal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study used various diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) models (including monoexponential, biexponential, stretched-exponential and kurtosis models) in renal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare whether there were differences in each diffusion parameter between patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and healthy volunteers.

Materials and methods

Twenty-two (female:male, 14:8; age, 48 ± 10 years) patients with PA and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent MRI examinations of the kidneys. The independent-sample t test or the Mann‒Whitney U test was used to detect differences in the diffusion metrics of the kidneys between the two groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression were applied to analyze the correlations between diffusion parameters and the clinical indicators.

Results

The mean diffusivity (MD, p < 0.001) and radial diffusivity (Dr, p < 0.001) values in the medulla were lower in the PA group than in the HC group. The medullary fractional anisotropy (FA, p < 0.001) was higher than that of HCs. The FA (p < 0.001) and axial diffusivity (Da, p < 0.001) values in the cortex were lower in the PA group. The cortical α (anomalous exponent term, p = 0.016) was higher in the PA patients than in the HCs. Linear regression analysis showed that log(plasma aldosterone concentration) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were correlated with medullary FA.

Conclusion

The stretched-exponential model (cortical α) and the kurtosis model (FA, MD and Dr in the medulla and FA and Da in the cortex) showed significant differences between PA patients and healthy volunteers and may have potential for noninvasive renal assessment in PA patients.

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Funding

This study was supported by the 1.3.5 Project for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University [Grant No. ZYGD18022].

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Author notes

  1. Yan Ren and Jiayu Sun are the corresponding authors and co-supervised this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxue Xiang No. 37, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China

    Deying Wen, Liping Deng, Weijie Yan, Pengfei Peng, Xun Yue, Lu Tang, Xi Wu & Jiayu Sun

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China

    Chenxiao Xu, Tao Chen & Yan Ren

  3. Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China

    Xun Yue & Xi Wu

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  1. Deying Wen
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  2. Chenxiao Xu
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Correspondence to Yan Ren or Jiayu Sun.

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Wen, D., Xu, C., Deng, L. et al. Monoexponential, biexponential, stretched-exponential and kurtosis models of diffusion-weighted imaging in kidney assessment: comparison between patients with primary aldosteronism and healthy controls. Abdom Radiol 48, 1340–1349 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-023-03833-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-023-03833-0

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