Abstract
Objective In our study, we aimed to evaluate fibrosis using shear wave elastography, a current technique in renal allograft, as well as to evaluate perfusion by including diffusion MR imaging in the same graft, and to provide information about allograft dysfunction with the combined use.Materials and Methods A total of 87 patients, 33 female (age range 17–72 years) and 52 male (age range 15–75 years), were included in the study. In the prospective study, after diffusion MRI of the transplanted kidney, ADC measurements was performed from the renal cortex. At the same time, stiffness was measured with SWE simultaneously from the cortex of the same graft, and the correlation of both methods with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was compared.Results The upper, middle and lower mean elastography values were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the ADC values were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the GFR ≤ 60 group compared to the group with eGFR > 60. There was a significant relationship between ADC measurements and the amount of proteinuria, and when the groups with proteinuria < 300 mg and > 300 mg were compared. When ROC analysis was performed for ADC value, AUC = 0.825, two groups could be differentiated with 82.8% sensitivity and 76.8% specificity.Conclusion Shear wave elastography and diffusion MRI can be used successfully in allograft dysfunction. Elastography is prominent in the detection of fibrosis in allograft. ADC values are closely related to the amount of proteinuria.