Renal depth measured by CT optimize the glomerular filtration rate using the Gates method in living donor kidney transplantation

Objective To evaluate the significance of kidney depth obtained by computed tomography (CT) in measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Gates method in living kidney transplant donors. Methods Individual kidney depth was compared among the estimates of Tonnesen, Taylor and Li Qian formulas and CT measurements in 167 living-related kidney transplant donors respectively. While maintaining the active region of interest of kidney and background unchanged in 137 99mTc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging cases, GFR was measured by Gates' method and individual kidney compared among the estimates of Tonnesen, Taylor and Li Qian formulas and CT measurements. Results Left/right kidney depth obtained by CT, Tonnesen, Taylor and Li Qian formula was 6.82±0.96/7.02±1.00, 5.67±0.58/5.71±0.59, 6.43±0.77/6.81±0.72 and 7.03±0.76/7.06±0.70 cm; GFR 45.44±9.04/46.61±9.06, 37.54±6.34/37.37±6.02, 43.39±7.59/44.62±6.94 and 46.99±8.04/46.70±7.30 ml/min respectively. Individual kidney depth and GFR calculated by Taylor and Li Qian were higher than those of Tonnesen formula (P 0.05). Conclusions Kidney depth measured by CT improves the accuracy of kidney depth estimated by Gates method and optimizes GFR in living donors for renal transplant. Key words: Kidney transplantation; Glomerular filtration rate; Kidney depth