Diffusion-Weighted MRI in the Evaluation of Renal Parenchymal Involvement during Febrile Urinary Tract Infections in Children: Preliminary Data

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection in pediatric-age patients. Acute pyelonephritis (PNA) represents a worrying situation in pediatric patients due to the risk of sepsis and long-term cicatricial consequences. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the diagnostic role of DW-MRI in relation to clinical data, to understand if there are any clinical parameters useful in identifying which patients should undergo it. Methods: According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, we enrolled 51 patients <= 15 years old admitted to our Institute between September 2012 and April 2020 with a febrile UTI who underwent DW-MRI evaluation. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: 34 of 51 patients with an fUTI (66.7%) showed signs of acute parenchymal involvement at DW-MRI evaluation. In 27 of these 34 (79.4%), DW-MRI showed multiple areas of pyelonephritis. A statistically significant relationship (p = 0.0004) between older age at admission and pyelonephritis was demonstrated. No statistically significant relationship was found between the other clinical, anamnestic and laboratory parameters and the outcome of DWI. Only two ultrasound examinations allowed the identification of pathological areas on the renal parenchyma. Conclusions: From these preliminary investigations, we can say that selecting the patients with fUTI on whom to perform a DW-MRI is difficult. Nevertheless, thanks to the low cost, the very rare need for sedation and the accuracy in identifying pyelonephritic areas, the use of DW-MRI in patients with febrile UTI seems recommendable.