Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most prevalent causes of kidney transplantation (KTx) worldwide. About 40% of ADPKD patients require peritransplant native kidney nephrectomy (NKN). The decision regarding qualification for NKN usually relies on the surgeon's expertise. Currently used qualification criteria are subjective and incomparable between clinical centers. There is a need to identify the indications for NKN by applying radiologically based methods to the decision-making process.
Aim: To assess the usefulness of radiologic parameters in the qualification process of ADPKD waitlist candidates for the NKN procedure.
Method: A retrospective, observational study in a cohort of ADPKD patients in a single institution was conducted. The study included the participation of waitlist candidates and kidney transplant recipients with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained in the peritransplant period. The correlation of imaging-based measurements with the results of clinical qualification for the NKN procedure was assessed.
Results: In the years 2012 to 2019, 19 patients completed the inclusion criteria. Total kidney volume (TKV) values were statistically more significant in the NKN group (n = 10) than in the non-NKN group (n = 9), with medians of 3351 mL and 1654 mL, respectively (P = .016). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the ratio of complex cyst volume to TKV, with the NKN group having a ratio of 19.2% and the non-NKN group 15.6% (P = .095). Venous compression was found only in the NKN group (n = 2).
Conclusions: TKV highly correlates with the results of clinical qualification for NKN. Radiologic assessment enables the detection of complicated cysts or clinically silent states of venous compression. Pretransplant imaging should be routinely obtained.
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