Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of the kidney: The application in patients with hyperuricemia

Background Hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for onset and progression of kidney disease. However, there remains a lack of a reliable and noninvasive biomarker to identify and monitor the changes of renal function in patients with hyperuricemia. Purpose To assess the utility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters in identifying the early changes of renal function in patients with hyperuricemia. Study Type Retrospective case–control study. Population Eighty‐four male participants, including asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH, 27 cases), gouty arthritis (GA, 31 cases), and 26 age‐matched healthy controls. Field Strength/Sequence 3.0T; intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM). Assessment Differences in the IVIM parameters among the three groups were assessed. Pure molecular diffusion (D value); perfusion‐related diffusion (D* value); pseudodiffusion fraction (f value); apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC value); estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Also, they were correlated with eGFR. Statistical Tests Bonferroni test, Tamhane's T2 method, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results The D values in renal cortex and medulla significantly decreased from the control, AH to GA groups (P