Abstract: 【Objective】To study the correlation between the diffusion-weighted imaging measurements and GFR, Katafuchi scores in IgA nephropathy. 【Methods】 Thirty-five patients with IgA nephropathy and twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. All of the subjects underwent studies on 3.0T MR scanner to obtain the diffusion-weighted imaging measurements. The glomerular filtration rate were calculated with 99Tcm-DTPA scintigraphy. We based the grades and the pathological damage scores of IgA nephropathy on the Lee classification and the Katafuchi system. To compare the ADC values between the control group and different grade of IgA nephropathy group. To analyse the correlation between the ADC values and GFR. To analyse the correlation between the ADC values and Katafuchi scores.【Results】The renal cortical ADC values were higher than medulla in both the control group and the IgA nephropathy group(p<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in renal cortical and medulla ADC values among the control group and the IgA nephropathy subgroup(p<0.05).But there was no significant difference in renal cortical ADC values between IgAN I group and the control group(p>0.05). There was a positive correlation between the renal cortical and medulla ADC values and the GFR values(p<0.05).Negative correlation was found between the renal cortical and medulla ADC values and the Katafuchi scores(p<0.05).【Conclusion】The diffusion-weighted imaging could reflect the physiological functions of the kidney. It was feasible for application on IgA nephropathy, which could be used for assessing the renal filtration function and the pathological damage. However, DWI lacked the sensitivity to early renal disease.

Key words: IgA nephropathy, diffusion-weighted imaging, glomerular filtration rate, pathology