Using MR Elastography in the Assessment of Low-Grade Fibrosis of Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients.

MRE can propagate shear waves which can provide better estimates of stiffness of smaller and deeper structures. Here, we found a positive correlation between kidney elasticity and the presence of histological fibrosis where stiffness values tended to be higher in fibrosed allografts than stable or native kidneys. If clinically approved, elastography would not only be useful for early detection of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in renal transplants, which would individualize the need for immunosuppression therapy, but could also be used as a screening tool to evaluate fibrosis in potential donors to identify best candidates prior to the transplantation procedure.