Stefan
Haneder1, Simon Konstandin2, Frank G. Zllner2,
Armin M. Nagel3, Lothar R. Schad2, Stefan O. Schnberg1,
Henrik J. Michaely1
1University Medical Center Mannheim,
Institute of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Mannheim, Baden-Wrttemberg,
Germany; 2Heidelberg University, Computer Assisted Clinical
Medicine, Mannheim, Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany; 3German Cancer
Research Center, Department of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg,
Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany
Sodium
imaging before/after water load (1L) was performed with 9 healthy volunteers.
A density adapted 3D radial trajectory gradient-echo sequence was used at a
3T clinical MR scanner. Linear cortico-medullary sodium gradients were
assessed before/after water load. Using standardized sodium phantoms these
gradients were quantified. A decrease of the quantitative sodium
concentration of about 22% after water load was stated. This study suggests
that sodium imaging might be an appropriate, noninvasive method for physiological
imaging of the human kidney. The current technique is sufficient for the
quantification of the renal sodium concentration and its change in different
physiological conditions.