A Computed Tomography (ct) Evaluation Of Renal Artery Evaluation In Healthy Adult North Indian Population

ABSTRACT

Aims and Objective: In 70% of normal population, each kidney is applied by a single renal artery. Renal arteriesare known to present with wide range of anatomic variations. These variations are frequently related to thenumber of renal arteries, level of origin, length, diameter and branching pattern. Renal transplantation is theonly curative option for end stage renal disease. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has become the preferredtechnique in renal transplant programs. The transplant surgeon requires at least 2 cm of renal artery lengthbefore hilar branching and diameter of 3 mm to ensure adequate vascular anastomosis. Therefore, a priorknowledge of number of renal arteries, the length and diameter of renal artery and branching pattern has becomeessential for renal transplant surgeons.Material and Methods: One hundred prospective healthy voluntary kidney donors (16 males and 84 females;mean age of 43.5±10.42 years), were evaluated for the renal artery anatomy by MDCT and CT angiography as partof preoperative assessment prior to donor nephrectomy. The number, level of origin, the diameter and length ofrenal artery on either side was recorded.Results: Single renal artery was present in 75.5% kidneys. The right MRA originated from aorta at the level of L1vertebra in 78% cases and left MRA originated from aorta at lower level( L2 vertebra) in 47% of cases.The meanlength of left and right renal artery was 26.2±10.6 mm and 29.6±12.8 mm respectively; mean diameter was5.8±1.2 mm and 5.2±1.0 mm respectively. The difference between length and diameter of both sides was statisticallysignificant. The mean diameter of left MRA was 5.8±1.2 mm and right MRA 5.2±1.0 mm and difference wasstatistically significant (p=0.001). Both in males and females the mean diameter of left MRA was more than thatof right MRA.Conclusion: In the present study it was observed that single renal artery was present in 75.5% kidneys. The rightMRA originated from aorta at a higher level compared to left MRA. The left renal artery was shorter and widerthan right renal artery. In 22.5% cases the length of renal artery was less than 2.0 cm.