Evaluation of the renal arteries in kidney donors: value of three-dimensional phase-contrast MR angiography with maximum-intensity-projection or surface rendering.

Authors:
  • STS L Talagala
    S L Talagala
  • STS Totterman
    S Totterman
  • MAM V Azodo
    M V Azodo
  • EKE Kwok
    E Kwok
  • LSL Shapiro
    L Shapiro
  • RSR Shapiro
    R Shapiro
  • RPR C Pabico
    R C Pabico
  • GAG R Applegate
    G R Applegate
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Abstract
Donors routinely undergo preoperative conventional arteriography to evaluate the renal arteries before nephrectomy. The purpose of this study was to assess the capability of three-dimensional phase-contrast MR angiograms postprocessed with maximum-intensity-projection and surface-rendering techniques to show the renal arteries of potential donors.Postprocessed three-dimensional phase-contrast MR angiograms of 17 patients were retrospectively reviewed by two experienced radiologists for the number and length of renal arteries visualized. Conventional arteriograms were used as the reference standard. Coronal maximum-intensity-projection and surface-rendered MR angiograms were also compared with each other with regard to the delineation of renal arteries from overlapping vessels.MR angiograms showed all 34 single or dominant renal arteries but only eight of 10 accessory arteries seen on conventional arteriograms. One of the nonvisualized accessory arteries was located within the imaged volume, and the other ...