Role of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Living Renal Donors

Objectives. To assess the value of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in evaluation of the anatomy of living kidney donors and to reveal the prevalence of renal vascular variations in a Chinese population. Patients and Methods. One hundred four potential donors underwent MDCT, and the data sets were postprocessed for reformatted images using maximum intensity projection, a volume-rendering technique, and multiplanar re-formation. Nephrectomy was performed in 97 donors, which enabled correlation of MDCT evaluation with the actual anatomy at surgery as the standard of reference. Results. The MDCT images accurately demonstrated the anatomical structure of the main renal arteries and veins and the upper part of the ureters. The prevalence of accessory arteries was 41.7% (43 of 103), and of early branching was 12.6% (13 of 103). Compared with findings during surgery, the detection rate of accessory arteries on MDCT images was 91.3% (21 of 23), of larger accessory arteries (>1.5 mm in diameter) was 100%, and of early branching was 100%. Conclusion. Multidetector-row computed tomography is helpful in accurately evaluating the renal anatomy of potential donors, thus facilitating planning of surgery.