Ultrasound evaluation of stiffness and vascularity of renal parenchymal damage secondary to hydronephrosis in pediatric patients using shear wave elastography and superb microvascular imaging

Abstract

AbstractAimsThe purpose of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of SWE (shear wave elastography) and renal parenchymal elasticity and microvascularization with the SMI (super microvascular imaging) technique in diagnosing and predicting the progression of renal parenchymal damage in pediatric patients with hydronephrosis.Patients and MethodsA total of 45 patients were included in the prospective study. To evaluate parenchymal changes, SWE and SMI‐Vacularity Index (VI) measurements were performed in various sections of the affected and normal kidneys. The affected and control renal pelvises' anteroposterior (AP) diameters were also measured.ResultsThe average SWE values were measured as 16.62 kPa for the affected kidneys, whereas the control kidneys showed an average SWE value of 12.70 kPa, indicating a statistically significant difference (p < .01). Furthermore, in the affected kidneys, the average SMI‐VI value was measured as 5.92, whereas the control kidneys exhibited a higher average SMI‐VI value of 6.64, showing a statistically significant difference (p < .01). A reverse correlation was found between renal pelvis AP diameter and SMI‐VI values, while a positive correlation existed between renal pelvis AP diameter and SWE values.ConclusionsWe believe that SWE and SMI may be useful for diagnosing and predicting the progression of renal parenchymal damage in pediatric hydronephrotic patients.