Sodium MRI: a new frontier in imaging in nephrology

Francis, Susan T.; Buchanan, Charlotte; Prestwich, Benjamin; Taal, Maarten W.

Abstract

Purpose of review

This review focuses on the recent technological advances in quantitative sodium (23Na) MRI to provide a noninvasive measure of tissue viability for use in clinical studies of patients with kidney disease. 23Na MRI is the only non-invasive imaging technique that allows for the absolute spatial quantification of tissue sodium concentration (TSC), providing assessment of the corticomedullary sodium gradient (CMSG) in the kidney, and allowing measures of TSC in the skin and muscle.

Recent findings

23Na MRI of the kidney has demonstrated the sensitivity to measure the CMSG, providing the normal range in healthy subjects and demonstrating a reduction in CMSG in kidney disease and transplanted kidneys. Studies using 23Na and 1H MRI have shown that in humans skeletal muscle and skin can store sodium without water retention, and that sodium concentrations in muscle and skin increase with advancing age. Recent studies have shown that TSC can be mobilised during haemodialysis, and that skin sodium content links closely to left ventricular mass in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Summary

23Na MRI is currently a research technique, but with future advances, 23Na MRI has potential to become a noninvasive renal biomarker to measure tissue sodium storage for clinical studies.

Citation

Francis, S. T., Buchanan, C., Prestwich, B., & Taal, M. W. (2017). Sodium MRI: a new frontier in imaging in nephrology. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, 26(6), 435-441. https://doi.org/10.1097/MNH.0000000000000370

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 25, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 7, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 7, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 23, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 8, 2018
• Journal: Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
• Print ISSN: 1062-4821
• Electronic ISSN: 1473-6543
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 435-441
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MNH.0000000000000370
• Keywords: Sodium MRI; Kidney; Skin; Muscle; Clinical
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/891853
• Publisher URL: http://journals.lww.com/co-nephrolhypertens/Abstract/2017/11000/Sodium_MRI___a_new_frontier_in_imaging_in.2.aspx
• Additional Information: This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Sodium MRI: a new frontier in imaging in nephrology Francis, Susana; Buchanan, Charlotte E.A.; Prestwich, Bena; Taal, Maarten W. Current Opinion in Nephrology & Hypertension: November 2017 Volume 26 - Issue 6 - p 435–441 doi: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000370
• Contract Date: Oct 23, 2017