Intravoxel Incoherent Motion and Arterial Spin Labeling MRI Analysis of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction in Rats

Background Renal fibrosis is a common consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is the mechanism by which various forms of CKD progress to endstage renal failure. Accurate assessment of renal fibrosis is important for treatment. Purpose To measure longitudinal changes of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) before and after reversible unilateral ureteral obstruction in an animal model. Study Type Self‐controlled animal study. Animal Model Surgical obstruction of the ureters was performed and then removed after 5 days. Rats were scanned on Days 0, 1, 3, and 5 after creating the obstruction and on Days 4, 7, and 12 after releasing the obstruction. Field Strength/Sequence 3.0T/IVIM/ASL. Assessment The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure molecular diffusion (D), perfusion fraction (f), pseudodiffusion (D*), and renal blood flow (RBF) obtained from the ASL were measured. Statistical Tests Using SPSS v. 20.0 software, P