Evaluating the potential of quantitative susceptibility mapping for detecting iron deposition in a rabbit model of renal fibrosis

Motivation: To investigate quantitative susceptibility mapping's (QSM) potential in detecting iron deposition in renal fibrosis (RF) and iron deposition's effect on QSM values in a rabbit model. Goal(s): QSM can reliably detect longitudinal iron deposition in RF, offering a valuable complementary imaging marker for RF evaluation. Approach: The dynamic changes of renal cortical and medullary signal with the progression of fibrosis were monitored by QSM, and the compensatory effect of the contralateral kidney was analyzed. Results: QSM values of the renal cortex and medulla were moderately or strongly correlated with iron deposition in RF. Impact: Different distributions of iron deposition between the cortex and medulla contribute to different QSM values, raising new possibilities in QSM applications for detecting iron deposition in RF. QSM offers a supplementary and promising imaging marker for evaluating RF.