Aim:  To determine the ADC values of kidneys in patients with normal serum creatinine values as an initial step to investigate the clinical potential of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in assessing renal   function in comparison with  serum  markers  of  renal  function.

Materials and Methods: MR  imaging  is  performed  on  1.5  Tesla  MR  machine (Siemens) Diffusion weighted  images  are  obtained  at  b values  0, 50. 400 and 800. Using automated ROI delineation methods ADC values are measured in the upper pole, interpolar region and lower pole of both kidneys. The mean ADC values were recorded for each kidney for each patient is recorded. The patients selected for this study had normal values for serum markers of renal function.

Results: The ADC value for renal parenchyma varied from  1.697x 10^-3mm²/s to 1.948x10^-3mm²/s  with a mean ADC value of  kidneys  ranging from 1.730x10^-3mm²/s  to 1.885x10^-3mm²/s 

Conclusion: Diffusion weighted MR imaging of the kidney can be useful imaging modality in the early determination of renal parenchymal disease especially with unilateral dysfunction. ADC values may predict abnormality earlier than serum markers of renal function.

Keywords:  Renal parenchymal disease, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

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Dr Bindu R Kumar

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis,

Government Medical College, Trivandrum

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