ASSESSMENT OF LIVING RENAL DONORS WITH SPIRAL CT

PURPOSE: To determine whether spiral computed tomography (CT) can be u sed to evaluate potential living renal donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve potential living renal donors underwent spiral CT and conventio nal arteriography. CT angiography was performed with 30-second spiral acquisition during injection of 150 mi of nonionic iodinated contrast material into an antecubital vein at 5 mL/sec. Five minutes after inje ction, a frontal abdominal scout projection was obtained to assess the renal collecting system. Results of blinded interpretations of axial CT angiograms, three-dimensional CT angiograms, and conventional arter iograms were correlated with intraoperative findings in 11 cases. RESU LTS: Axial and three-dimensional CT angiography were 100% sensitive fo r identifying seven accessory renal arteries and 14% and 93% sensitive for identifying five prehilar renal artery branches. Renal venous ano malies were confirmed in three patients at surgery. Operative manageme nt changed in four of 11 patients who underwent donor nephrectomy. CON CLUSION: Spiral CT holds promise as a single examination for anatomic assessment of living renal donors.