LIVE RENAL DONORS

Objectives: To compare the findings of helical computed tomographic angiography and intra-operative findings in live relateddonors. To evaluate the accuracy of helical computed tomography with advanced 3D techniques in depicting the renal vasculature,parenchymal and anatomy of collecting system. Setting: Sheikh Zayed Post Graduate Medical Institute and National Institute of kidneydiseases Lahore. Material and Method: Between June 2006 to May 2009 eighty potential donors underwent CT angiogram as a part of theirpreoperative workup. We retrospectively studied the CT angiogram and compared the finding with the surgical findings. The results werereviewed with radiologists to determine the discrepancy in discordant cases. Results: The accuracy of CT angiography was 93.40% to predictnumber of vessels. Five arteries and one vein was missed, this disconcordant comprised 7.59% during initial CT interpretation. The overall concordance between CT angiography and operative findings in delineating the arterial anatomy was found in 74(93.67%) and venous in 78 (98.73%) donors. All CT scans demonstrated normal collecting system except one, which showed a dilated right pelvicalical system and ureter. Simple renal cysts about the size of 2-4 cm were found in the four left kidneys. CT scan supplied additional important anatomical information including kidney size and the presence of nephrolithiasis. Conclusion: Helical CT angiography is very specific for arterial and venous anatomy as well as other anatomical and functional details. It provides all the information required by a surgeon. It can become the single imaging modality for preoperative assessment of potential donors in place of conventional angiography and intravenous urography. CT angiography is minimally invasive and cost effective.