Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2017
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Degree Program
Pharmacology and Toxicology, MS
Committee Chair
El-Baz, Ayman
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Merchant, Michael
Committee Member
Merchant, Michael
Committee Member
Kidd, LaCreis
Abstract
The thesis is divided into three parts. The first part focuses on background information including how the kidney functions, diseases, and available kidney disease treatment strategies. In addition, the thesis provides information on imaging instruments and how they can be used to diagnose renal graft dysfunction. The second part focuses on elucidating the parameters linked with highly accurate diagnosis of rejection. Four parameters categories were tested: clinical biomarkers alone, individual mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) at 11-different b- values, mean ADCs of certain groups of b-value, and fusion of clinical biomarkers and all b-values. The most accurate model was found to be when the b-value of b=100 s/mm2 and b=700 s/mm2 were fused. The third part of this thesis focuses on a study that uses Diffusion-Weighted MRI to diagnose and differentiate two types of renal rejection. The system was found to correctly differentiate the two types of rejection with a 98% accuracy. The last part of this thesis concludes the work that has been done and states the possible trends and future avenues.
Recommended Citation
Hollis, Elizabeth Marie, "Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing graft dysfunction : a non-invasive alternative to renal biopsy." (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2661.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2661