Prospective study comparing three-dimensional computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating the renal vascular anatomy in potential living renal donors.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively compare the accuracy of multislice spiral computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in evaluating the renal vascular anatomy in potential living renal donors.


METHODS
Thirty-one donors underwent multislice spiral CTA and gadolinium-enhanced MRA. In addition to axial images, multiplanar reconstruction and maximum intensity projections were used to display the renal vascular anatomy. Twenty-four donors had a left laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN), whereas seven had right open donor nephrectomy (ODN); LDN was only considered if the renal vascular anatomy was favourable on the left. CTA and MRA images were analysed by two radiologists independently. The radiological and surgical findings were correlated after the surgery.


RESULTS
CTA showed 33 arteries and 32 veins (100% sensitivity) whereas MRA showed 32 arteries and 31 veins (97% sensitivity). CTA detected all five accessory renal arteries whereas MRA only detected one. CTA also identified all three accessory renal veins whereas MRA identified two. CTA had a sensitivity of 97% and 47% for left lumbar and left gonadal veins, whereas MRA had a sensitivity of 74% and 46%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Multislice spiral CTA with three-dimensional reconstruction was more accurate than MRA for both renal arterial and venous anatomy.
Bhatti
Aftab A
AA
Department of Urology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK.
Chugtai
Aamir
A
Haslam
Philip
P
Talbot
David
D
Rix
David A
DA
Soomro
Naeem A
NA
D046148:Donor Selection; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed