RESEARCH ARTICLE Multi-Parametric Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease by MRI: A Preliminary Cross- Sectional Study

Background The current clinical classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not perfect and may be overestimating both the prevalence and the risk for progressive disease. Novel markers are being sought to identify those at risk of progression. This preliminary study evaluates the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging based markers to identify early changes in CKD. Methods Fifty-nine subjects (22 healthy, 7 anemics with no renal disease, 30 subjects with CKD) par-ticipated. Data using 3D volume imaging, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) and Diffusion MRI was acquired. BOLD MRI acquisition was repeated after 20 mg of iv furosemide. Results Compared to healthy subjects, those with CKD have lower renal parenchymal volumes (329.6±66.4 vs. 257.1±87.0 ml, p<0.005), higher cortical R2 * values (19.7±3.2 vs. 23.2±6.3 s−1, p = 0.013) (suggesting higher levels of hypoxia) and lower response to furosemide o