Renal magnetic resonance angiography with Gd-DTPA in living renal transplant donors

Abstract

DEMONSTRATION of the renal vascular anatomy is a major part of the preoperative evaluation of potential living-related kidney donors, for the safe, uncomplicated removal of the donor allograft. Accurate determination of number, length, location of renal arteries, the length of the main renal artery proximal to the first parenchymal branch, and identification of accessory renal arteries is essential for proper presurgical planning. Radiologic evaluation of these patients has traditionally included conventional angiography (CA) and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA). These techniques are costly and associated with multiple problems. Threedimensional (3D) gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has been suggested as a potential screening technique owing to its noninvasive nature. In addition to this benefit, it is the most useful technique visualizing renal arteries and smaller vessels in detail due to the use of carefully selected acquisition parameters, suspension of respiration, and correct gadolinium bolus timing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Gd-enhanced renal MRA in showing the variations and numbers of renal arteries of potential living-related renal donors before transplantation.