Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Clinical Ultrasound, cilt.54, sa.3, ss.601-608, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of elasticity with shear wave elastography (SWE) technique and microvascularization with super microvascular imaging (SMI) technique in renal parenchymal scar areas developing as a result of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and to compare the effectiveness of these two methods in detecting damage in the renal parenchyma with the results of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. Materials and Methods: Between July 2022 and July 2023, 40 patients diagnosed with VUR by voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and 31 patients in the control group were included in this prospective, unicenter study. The vascularity characteristics of all kidneys and the parenchymal stiffness levels were examined respectively with superb microvascular imaging and SWE by two independent radiologists. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the mean SWE and SMI values of normal renal parenchyma and renal scar tissue (p < 0.05). The mean SWE and SMI values of kidneys with scar tissue were found to be statistically higher than those of kidneys with VUR but without scar tissue (p < 0.05). Also, a relationship was found between the duration of VUR exposure and the formation of scar tissue in the kidneys. The sensitivity and specificity values for predicting the presence of scar tissue in the kidneys were determined as 73.7% and 70.5% with the SMI method, and 89.5% and 67.2% with the SWE method, respectively. Conclusion: SWE and SMI techniques can be considered as complementary alternative methods in the follow-up of pediatric patients with VUR in whom scar tissue is detected in the kidneys with DMSA, as they are inexpensive, radiation-free, and useful methods for the detection and evaluation of scar tissue.