Background: Recent reports suggest that spiral computed tomographic (CT) an
giography can replace conventional angiography acid intravenous urography f
or the assessment of potential kidney donors, The purpose of this study is
to assess the accuracy of spiral CT in potential kidney donor workup.
Methods: Over a period of 1 year, from December 1995 to December 1996, 16 c
onsecutive potential renal donors had intravenous pyelography, percutaneous
transfemoral angiography with selective renal angiography and spiral CT an
giography. The spiral CT and renal angiograms were assessed independently b
y two radiologists, The number of renal arteries, presence or absence of re
nal artery stenoses and associated parenchymal abnormalities were assessed.
Results: A total of 39 renal arteries were detected. Conventional transvers
e scans viewed in a cine loop format detected all 39 vessels, while the max
imum intensity projection and shaded surface display demonstrated only 37.
All 39 vessels were detected by the catheter angiography. With the exceptio
n of one potential donor with fibromuscular dysplasia, 15 donors were accep
ted. There was 100% accuracy between the two methods of visualization for t
he renal arteries. A simple renal cyst was noted in both spiral CT and conv
entional angiogram, while another had gallstones in spiral CT.
Conclusions: Spiral CT angiography performed as an outpatient procedure is
less invasive, less expensive, and provides good images of the arterial and
venous anatomy. It has the potential to replace conventional catheter angi
ography and intravenous pyelogram in the assessment of potential renal dono
rs.