Multispiral computed tomographic angiography of renal arteries of live potential renal donors: a review of 118 cases

OBJECTIVES: Review of the angiographic data of 118 live kidney donors was performed to assess the renal vessel anatomy; compare the findings with the perioperative findings using multislice spiral (MS) computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with the use of 50 mL of intravenous contrast; determine the sensitivity of this technique in the workup of live potential renal donors; and finally to discuss and compare the results of the present study with the reported results using single-slice spiral (SS) CTA, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and conventional angiography (CA). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the angiographic data of 118 of prospective live kidney donors was performed. All donors underwent renal angiography on MSCTA scanning using 50 mL of intravenous contrast with 1.25-mm slice thickness followed by maximum intensity projection and virtual rendering techniques postprocessing algorithms. Analysis was made on imaging and intraoperatively for the number of renal arteries as well as their bifurcation pattern, location, vessel caliber, length, and venous anatomy, and these were then compared with each other. RESULTS: MSCTA showed clear delineation of the main renal arteries in all the donors with detailed vessel morphology. The study also revealed a 100% sensitivity in the detection of accessory renal vessels, which had an overall incidence of 26.67%, with the most common distribution in the perihilar region. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a 100% sensitivity and specificity in the visualization and detection of main and accessory renal vessels with the use of only 50 mL of intravenous contrast with similar results seen with CA which has so far been considered the "gold standard." The results on MSCTA were also better than those with the use of SSCTA and MRA in the workup of liver renal donors, with the above technique also proving to be more cost effective. The overall incidence of supernumerary vessels was the same as reported in the literature; however, a higher incidence of single aberrant vessels was seen on the right side, contrary to what has been suggested so far and was attributable to improved detection of accessory vessels less then 2 mm in diameter.