ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical value of virtual touch tissues quantification in the evaluation of kidney stiffness in patients of diabetic nephropathy .Methods A total of 90 cases of diabetic nephropathy were divided into 3 groups:infinitesimal albuminuria ,microalbuminuria and massive proteinuria groups.And other 30 health subjects were taken as control group.The shears wave velocity ( Vs) which reflected the tissue elasticity was measured.The Vs values were compared among different groups.Results In all groups,the highest Vs was present in renal cortex .And compared with the renal cortex ,the Vs of the renal medulla and renal sinus have statistically significant differences [ the normal control group:( 3.65 ± 0.26)m/s,(2.72 ±0.35) m/s,(1.83 ±0.54) m/s,t =9.30,18.20,both P <0.05;Infinitesimal albuminuria group:(2.98 ±0.28)m/s,(2.47 ±0.33)m/s,(1.65 ±0.31)m/s,t=5.97,15.57,both P<0.05;microalbuminuria group:(2.55 ±0.22) m/s,(2.22 ±0.28) m/s,(1.54 ±0.21) m/s,t =3.86, 11.83,both P<0.05;massive proteinuria group:(1.99 ±0.28)m/s,(1.49 ±0.30)m/s,(1.01 ±0.39)m/s, t=5.85,11.48,both P<0.05].The renal cortex Vs of Infinitesimal albumonuria group ,microalbuminuria group and massive proteinuria group show a gradually decreasing trend .And the renal cortex Vs of microalbuminuria group and massive proteinuria group have statistically significant differences compared with the normal control group(t=11.79,17.79,both P<0.05).Conclusions Virtual touch tissues quantification technique can reflect the renal tissue elasticity .It will contribute to the assessment of renal function in patients with early diabetic nephropathy .