Evaluation of Renal Arteries of 286 Living Donors by Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography: A Single-Center Study

Objectives: In living renal donors, digital subtraction angiography and intravenous pyelogram techniques developing traditional evaluation before transplant have started to give place to more modern and less-invasive methods such as multidetector computerized tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography via the developments in the imaging technology. We aimed to evaluate the renal arteries of living-renal donors by multidetector computerized tomography angiography and to compare the findings with the surgical results.

Materials And Methods: In our renal transplant center, 286 living-donor candidates to whom multi-detector computerized tomography angiography was applied, were evaluated retrospectively and the findings were compared with the surgical operation notes.

Results: In 180 of 286 living donor candidates to whom computerized tomography angiography was applied, bilateral single renal artery was deter-mined. In 79 renal donor candidates, unilateral multiple renal artery; and in 27 renal donor candidates, bilateral multiple renal artery were found. In 58 renal donor candidates, at least 1 polar artery was specified; in 32 renal donor candidates, a unilateral single renal artery; in 10 renal donor candidates, a bilateral double renal artery was determined. When computerized tomography angiography and operative notes were compared, we observed that the findings in 280 donor candidates were the same. In 6 renal donor candidates, differences in the findings were present. Our accuracy rate was 97% and according to the operative notes, our sensitivity and specificity ratios in determining multiple renal arteries were calculated as 98% and 95%.

Conclusions: Multidetector computerized tomography angiography can be used rapidly and efficiently in living-donor renal candidates with high specificity and sensitivity ratios.