title: Simultaneous CT angiography and whole-body CT is an effective imaging approach before multiorgan retrieval.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the role of whole-body computed tomography (CT) for determining morphological suitability before multiorgan retrieval (MOR) in brain dead patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one clinically brain dead patients (21 women, 30 men; mean age 61 year±15) were included in this prospective, single center study. All patients had CT angiography of the brain and whole-body CT examination. CT images were evaluated for the presence of morphological abnormalities of lungs, liver and other abdominal organs and presence of vascular anatomical variants. The results of CT examinations were compared to intraoperative findings observed during organ harvesting and/or the results of histopathological analysis of biopsy specimens. The impact of whole-body CT examination on the harvesting process was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-five percent of vascular anatomical variants that were found intraoperatively were depicted on CT. CT density measurements predicted surgical finding of steatosis in 80% of patients. Whole-body CT changed the MOR strategy in 21/51 patients (41%) including 3 MOR cancellations and 8 grafts refusals, whereas organ harvesting was continued in 10 patients after histopathological analysis was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selection of potential graft donors using whole-body CT is reliable and improves graft selection during MOR.
authors: Department of Radiology, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France. Electronic address: emeline.berthier@outlook.fr.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Berthier
authors: Department of Radiology, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Ridereau-Zins
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dubé
authors: Department of Radiology, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Tchouante
authors: Department of Radiology, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Nedelcu
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Lasocki
authors: Department of Radiology, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Aubé
mesh_terms: D001926:Brain Death; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D046148:Donor Selection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014019:Tissue Donors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
keywords: Computed tomography; Donor selection. Multiorgan retrieval; Organ donation