Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by secondary hyperparathyroidism and an increased risk of hip fractures predominantly related to cortical porosity. Unfortunately, bone mineral density measurements and high-resolution peripheral computed tomography (HR-pQCT) imaging have shortcomings that limit their utility in these patients. Ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance imaging (UTE-MRI) has the potential to overcome these limitations by providing an alternative assessment of cortical porosity. The goal of the current study was to determine if UTE-MRI could detect changes in porosity in an established rat model of CKD.

Cy/+ rats (n = 11), an established animal model of CKD-MBD, and their normal littermates (n = 12) were imaged using microcomputed tomography (microCT) and UTE-MRI at 30 and 35 weeks of age (which approximates late-stage kidney disease in humans). Images were obtained at the distal tibia and the proximal femur. Cortical porosity was assessed using the percent porosity (Pore%) calculated from microCT imaging and the porosity index (PI) calculated from UTE-MRI. Correlations between Pore% and PI were also calculated.

Cy/+ rats had higher Pore% than normal rats at both skeletal sites at 35 weeks (tibia = 7.13 % +/− 5.59 % vs. 0.51 % +/− 0.09 %, femur = 19.99 % +/− 7.72 % vs. 2.72 % +/− 0.32 %). They also had greater PI at the distal tibia at 30 weeks of age (0.47 +/− 0.06 vs. 0.40 +/− 0.08). However, Pore% and PI were only correlated in the proximal femur at 35 weeks of age (ρ = 0.929, Spearman).

These microCT results are consistent with prior studies in this animal model utilizing microCT imaging. The UTE-MRI results were inconsistent, resulting in variable correlations with microCT imaging, which may be related to suboptimal bound and pore water discrimination at higher magnetic field strengths. Nevertheless, UTE-MRI may still provide an additional clinical tool to assess fracture risk without using ionizing radiation in CKD patients.