Perfusion imaging in renal diseases

Functional imaging of the kidney using radiological techniques has a great potential of development because the functional parameters, which can be approached non-invasively, are multiple. CT can provide measurement of perfusion and glomerular filtration but has the inconvenient to deliver irradiation and potentially nephrotoxicity due to iodine agents in this context. Sonography is able to evaluate perfusion only but quantification remains problematic. Therefore, MR imaging shows the greatest flexibility measuring blood volume and perfusion as well as split renal function. The main applications of perfusion imaging of the kidney are vascular diseases, as renal artery stenosis, renal obstruction and follow-up of renal tumors under antiangiogenic therapy. However, full clinical validation of these methods and the evaluation of their clinical impact are still often worthwhile.