Magnetic Resonance Elastography of Transplanted Kidney (GREFFE_ELASTO IRM)

The natural history of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) is a common mechanism of disease progression of transplanted kidneys. The process has been well studied through protocol biopsies. The early phase is characterized by fibrogenesis and the emergence of tubulo-interstitial damage due to immunologic phenomena; the late phase is characterized by the worsening of parenchymal lesions and the occurrence of glomerular sclerosis leading to graft loss.

Today, non-invasive markers of these pathological changes are missing and the protocol biopsies are still the only reliable tool for the diagnosis of IF/TA.

Elasticity imaging has already been proven in the management of chronic liver diseases with Fibroscan. In the field of renal diseases, several studies have been carried out in ultrasound elastography on renal grafts but the renal elastography is more difficult due to the complexity of the kidney (deep organ, two compartments, high vascularity). All these parameters have an influence on the elasticity measures.

The elastography imaging is also performed in MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging): The Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE). MRE is less subject to variations in depth, to the experience of the operator and to allow an overall evaluation of the graft.

The potentially eligible patients will be recruited by the nephrologist during a consultation in which renal biopsy is scheduled (as part of current practice). Patients meeting the inclusion criteria and having no exclusion criteria will be offered to participate in this study. If accepted, the only examination specific to this research, the MRE, will be scheduled to be performed the same day as the renal biopsy.