Application of Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification Technique in IgA Nephropathy

  Objective  To evaluate the application of virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) technique in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN).

  Methods  A total of 28 patients were included in present study who underwent kidney biopsy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2012. On sonography, conventionallength(L), thickness (T), resistive index(RI), and VTQ (shear wave velocity, SWV) parameters of left kidney were measured. Then using Spearman correlation analysis, the correlations between SWV and clinicopathologic parameterschronic kidney disease(CKD) stage, Lee grade, glomerular sclerosis index (GSI), tubular atrophy(TA), interstitial fibrosis(IF) and the association of SWV and conventional ultrasound measurements were evaluated.

  Results  No significant correlation was found between conventional ultrasound measurements and SWV, as well as clinicopathologic parameters (all P > 0.05). However, Spearman analysis indicated that SWV showed significant correlations with CKD stage (r=-0.382, P=0.045), Lee grade (r=-0.407, P=0.031), and IF (r=-0.397, P=0.036).

  Conclusions  As a novel sono-elastography technique, VTQ correlates with multiple clinicopathologic parameters by measuring renal cortical stiffness. Therefore it is of great value in clinical application and warrants further investigation.