Validation of the diffusion MRI signal in kidney tumours: a pilot study

The arrangement of the microstructures of the kidneys, particularly tubules and blood vessels, is closely associated with kidney function. With diffusion MRI methods the diffusion of water molecules can be mapped. Water diffusion in renal medullar tissue is restricted by the radial organization of tubules, collecting ducts and vessels, and is therefore greater in the radial direction than in other directions (hence, the diffusion is “anisotropic”). Recent studies showed that anisotropy in de kidney medulla can be measured with diffusion tensor imaging. Moreover, with fiber tractography the radial orientation of the kidney structure can be visualized. Furthermore, intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) analysis enables separation of different water motion processes (e.g. perfusion and diffusion) based on differences in these processes.



In a previous study, a comprehensive protocol for diffusion MRI imaging of the kidneys, including DTI and IVIM analysis and visualization using tractography, was developed and tested. The aim of this follow-up pilot study is to compare diffusion MRI derived parameters to the histologically established kidney tumor type. In this study both diffusion methods (DTI and IVIM) will be combined and applied to a renal pathology for the first time, resulting in a broad range of diffusion information. This information will, on the one hand, result in a better understanding of the diffusion signal. On the other hand, it will be the first step towards the use of diffusion MRI methods for in vivo categorization of kidney tumor type.

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Diffusion MRI scan, including diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI), intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and tractography