Abstract:

Objective To apply contrast-enhanced ultrasound in renal function evaluation for patients with spinal cord injury complicated with hydronephrosis.Methods From October, 2015 to November, 2018, 23 patients with spinal cord injury complicated with hydronephrosis and renal disfunction (spinal cord injury group) and 19 cases of normal kidneys (control group) accepted contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and the image was analyzed with software. The region of interest (ROI) in the renal cortex, and the time intensity curve was drawn. Logistic regression was performed with time to initial peak (TTP), peak intensity (DPI), slope of ascending time (A), area under the curve (AUC) as the independent variable and renography as the dependent variable. The data was analyzed with ROC.Results There was no significant difference in serum creatinine and ureophil between two groups (P > 0.05). TTP was longer ( t = 5.068, P < 0.001), and A and AUC were lower ( t > 3.784, P < 0.01) in the spinal cord injury group than in the control group. AUC was the factor related to renography ( P < 0.01). The smaller the AUC was, the greater the likelihood of kidney damage was. The sum of sensitivity and specificity was 1.759 and the corresponding AUC was 982.518 dBS. Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can evaluate renal function of patients with spinal cord injury complicated with hydronephrosis. The decrease in AUC of the time-intensity curve indicates that the renal function is impaired.

Key words: hydronephrosis, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, renal perfusion, spinal cord injury, renal function