Purpose: We compared the accuracy of Doppler ultrasonography and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography for preoperative visualization of the number of renal arteries in potential live kidney donors.
Materials and methods: Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography and Doppler ultrasonography were used to study the renal anatomy of 64 consecutive kidney donors. Doppler studies were performed without knowledge of the angiographic findings. All donors underwent nephrectomy, and the number of renal arteries at nephrectomy was compared with that predicted by intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography and Doppler ultrasonography.
Results: One renal artery was found in 53 harvested kidneys, 2 in 10 and 3 in only 1. Analysis of the data revealed sensitivity 96.2% and specificity 100% for intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography versus sensitivity 100% and specificity 60% for Doppler ultrasound. Overall accuracy was 96.8% for angiography versus 93.7% for Doppler ultrasound, compared to 96.2 and 100%, respectively, for single, and 100% and 60%, respectively, for double renal arteries (p < 0.03). Both tests were interpreted as showing double vessels in the case with triple renal arteries.
Conclusions: Although Doppler ultrasonography is accurate in delineation of single renal arteries, its limited ability to identify multiple arteries should make one cautiously optimistic regarding its current use.