Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging of Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

To evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, including a sham operated group (n=3). Renal ischemia was induced for 30 minutes (group 1), 60 minutes (group 2) and 120 minutes (group 3). MR imaging was performed before ischemia as well as one hour, 24 hours, and 72 hours after reperfusion. A 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy was performed before ischemia, as well as 24 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the T2WI, time-relative signal intensity (%RSI) curve on dynamic enhanced images, and relative left renal uptake (%) on DMSA scan were obtained and compared to the histologic findings. The SNR of the cortex on the T2WI changed significantly over the course of the reperfusion time (p<0.001), but was not significantly different among the ischemia groups. The area under the time-%RSI curve gradually decreased from cortex to inner medulla before ischemia, which was reversed and gradually increased after reperfusion. The areas under the time-%RSI curve of outer and inner medulla were significantly different among the ischemia groups (p=0.04, p=0.008). The relative renal uptake (%) of left kidney decreased significantly over the reperfusion time (p=0.03), and was also significantly different among the ischemia groups (p=0.005). Tubular cell necrosis was observed in 16 rabbits (76.2%). The histologic grades of group 3 were higher than those of group 1 and group 2 (p=0.002). Even in rabbits without tubular cell necrosis, the areas under the time-%RSI curves of the cortex, outer, and inner medulla after a 72 hour reperfusion time were significantly lower than those before ischemia (p=0.007, p=0.005, p=0.004). The results of this study suggest that dynamic enhanced MR imaging could be a useful tool for the evaluation of renal ischemia and reperfusion injury