Combined application of DTI and BOLD-MRI in the assessment of renal injury with hyperuricemia

Objective To explore the value of combined diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and blood oxygenation level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) in detecting early renal alterations in patients with hyperuricemia. Materials and methods Seventy-one individuals were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups according to their serum uric acid (SUA) level and clinical symptoms: healthy controls (HC,n = 23), asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH,n = 22) and gouty arthritis (GA,n = 26). All patients underwent both DTI and BOLD-MRI examination. Renal cortical and medullary ADC, FA and R2* values were calculated, respectively, and compared among the three groups. Correlations between ADC, FA and R2* with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and SUA in hyperuricemia were evaluated, respectively. Result In the renal cortex, the ADC, FA and R2* values of the AH and GA groups were significantly lower than those of the HC groups (p < 0.05). In the renal medulla, the ADC and FA values in AH and GA patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (p < 0.05). The R2* value of the GA group significantly decreased, compared to that of the AH and HC groups (p < 0.05). SUA was negatively correlated with cortical ADC, FA and R2* values (p < 0.05) as well as with medullary ADC and FA values. No significant correlation was discovered between the eGFR and ADC, FA and R2* values. Conclusion The combined evaluation of DTI and BOLD might provide a sensitive and non-invasive approach for detection of renal microstructural alterations and oxygen metabolism abnormality in hyperuricemia.

Automated summary

The study revealed the potential value of combined diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and blood oxygenation level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) in detecting early renal alterations in patients with hyperuricemia, providing strong evidence for understanding renal changes caused by hyperuricemia.