Cristina Rossi1, Andreas Boss, Ferruh Artunc2, Serdar Yildiz2, Petros Martirosian1, Helmut Dittmann3, Niels Heyne2, Claus D. Claussen, Fritz Schick1, Heinz-Peter Schlemmer
1Section of Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany; 3Department of Nuclear Medicine, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
In this study, the use of a single stop MR examination for the comprehensive evaluation of renal anatomy, (global and split) function, and vessel morphology in candidates for kidney transplantation is proposed. MR-Nephrography was based on the renal clearance of 4ml of gadobutrol from the extra cellular fluid volume. Signal vs. time curves measured over the liver were used for the evaluation of the glomerular filtration rate, whereas curves measured over the kidneys allowed for the assessment of the split renal function. The present protocol may find immediate application in the preoperative assessment of potential living kidney donors.