Virtual elastography based on an intravoxel incoherent motion for assessing chronic kidney disease

Motivation: Various b values of shifted apparent diffusion coefficients (sADC) and virtual magnetic resonance elastography (vMRE) were not validated for renal stiffness. Hence, a new method was required for assessing chronic kidney disease (CKD) noninvasively. Goal(s): To investigate the relationship between sADC and vMRE and the clinical indicators and diagnostic efficacy of CKD. Approach: The μdiff generated with sADC was used to quantify renal stiffness. The data were analyzed using Spearman, partial correlation, Mann–Whitney U test, and receiver-operating characteristic curves. Results: sADC and vMRE were effective in assessing renal function and diagnosing CKD, but distinctly at various b values. Impact: This study provides a reference b value for sADC and vMRE and suggests that vMRE could be used as a new noninvasive technique to assess chronic kidney disease.