Experimental study of ultrasound evaluation of rabbit renal function in unilateral hydronephrosis

【Objective】To evaluate the relation between contrast ultrasound imaging of renal cortical perfusion and pathologic outcome in hydronephrosis model.【Methods】In 20 rabbits,the distal left ureter was obstructed,contrast ultrasound was performed to observe renal cortical perfusion change before operation and after 1 day,two,four,six,eight and ten weeks,respectively,the area under the curve(AUC) and time to peak(TTP) were determined at baseline and during each experimental condition.The contrast imaging parameters were compared with renal pathological manifestation,blood urea nitrogen and creatinine value.【Results】The pathological grades in these hydronephrotic kidneys were degraded progressively with time.The TTP of hydronephrotic kidneys in 6,8,10 weeks were significant longer and lower than those in healthy kidneys(P 0.05).The area under the curve diminished during urethral obstruction.Moreover,the values were constantly changed with time,and correlated well with the pathological outcomes.The values of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were unchanging.【Conclusion】Contrast-ultrasound depicts changes in renal cortex during obstruction.AUC and TTP are good predictors of renal cortex perfusion and renal function.