Abstract:

Objective  To explore the value of multi-slice CT angiography (MSCTA) in living renal donors before nephrectomy. Methods  40 potential living renal donors underwent MSCTA by using a Siemens dual-source CT scanner to evaluate renal vascular anatomy and variation before nephrectomy. Results  In 40 cases(80 kidneys), MSCTA demonstrated that 64 kidneys were supplied by a single branch of the renal artery; 67 kidneys were drained by a single branch of the renal vein; 16 kidneys had an accessory renal artery; 11 main renal arteries had early branches; 2 cases had blood vessel stenosis in the left renal artery or superior mesenteric artery and 1 case had a vascular loop in the left renal vein. 22 living renal donors in 40 cases underwent nephrectomy, and the intra-operative findings for renal blood vessels were consistent with the results of MSCTA. Conclusion  MSCTA can reveal the anatomy and variation of renal blood vessels, and is recommended to be the initial modality of choice for evaluating  renal blood vessels before nephrectomy in living renal donors.

Key words: Kidney transplantation; Tomography, X-ray computed; Renal artery; Renal vein