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Noncontrast Functional MRI of the Kidneys

  • New Techniques: Imaging (A Atala, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques enable noninvasive assessment of renal function. Diffusion-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, blood oxygen level–dependent MRI, magnetic resonance elastography, and arterial spin labeling are some of the emerging techniques that have potential to investigate renal function without the use of exogenous gadolinium contrast. This article discusses the principles of these techniques, as well as their possible applications and limitations. This will introduce the readers to these novel imaging tools, which appear to have promising futures.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy (MRIS) Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The authors participated equally in the writing of this manuscript.

Disclosures

L. Mannelli: none. Dr. Jeffrey H. Maki has served as a consultant for Bayer Medical, has received grants from Bracco Diagnostics, and has received payment for lectures from Lantheus Medical. S. F. Osman: none. Dr. Hersh Chandarana has received research support from Siemens Health Care. D. J. Lomas: none. Dr. William Shuman has received grants from GE Healthcare. K. F. Linnau: none. D. E. Green: none; G. Laffi: none; M. Moshiri: none.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1000 8th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA

    Lorenzo Mannelli, Jeffrey H. Maki, Sherif F. Osman, William P. Shuman, Ken F. Linnau, Douglas E. Green & Miriam Moshiri

  2. Department of Radiology, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Hersh Chandarana

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, UK

    David J. Lomas

  4. Dipartimento di Medicina Interna Sperimentale ed Applicata, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy

    Giacomo Laffi

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  1. Lorenzo Mannelli
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Correspondence to Lorenzo Mannelli.

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Mannelli, L., Maki, J.H., Osman, S.F. et al. Noncontrast Functional MRI of the Kidneys. Curr Urol Rep 13, 99–107 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-011-0229-6

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