title: Does a plain X-ray of the pelvis predict arterial complications in renal transplantation? A prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is unknown whether if a plain X-ray of the iliac arteries (pelvic X-ray) is a reliable tool to detect calcifications and predict vascular complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, a pelvic X-ray was performed before transplantation in patients without evidence of peripheral vascular disease (n = 109) and vascular calcifications were scored. Vascular calcifications in the iliac arteries and complications were scored by the transplant surgeon during the operation (gold standard).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vascular calcifications were found on the pelvic X-ray in 33 patients (30.2%). The transplant surgeon identified vascular calcifications in 35%. Sensitivity and specificity of the pelvic X-ray for vascular calcifications in the iliac arteries were 48 and 82%, respectively. Technical problems with the arterial anastomosis due to vascular calcifications were observed in five patients. The negative predictive value and positive predictive value of a pelvic X-ray for complications with the arterial anastomosis were 99 and 14%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A pelvic X-ray is not a reliable tool to detect vascular calcifications. Technical problems with the arterial anastomosis due to calcifications are infrequent in the absence of vascular calcifications on the pelvic X-ray.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.aalten@nier.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aalten
authors.forename: Helena M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: J A Daan
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van der Vliet
authors.forename: Andries J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hoitsma
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D014965:X-Rays