Kidney Hypertrophy in Living Kidney Donors and Their Corresponding Recipients

In this long-term study we compared kidney volume changes and function between living kidney donors and their corresponding recipients via magnetic resonance imaging after 3 to 8 years post transplantation.

For measurement of the kidney volume in magnetic resonance imaging images we used 3DSlicer. Statistical analysis was performed via t test and correlation.

A profound volume increase was observed in both transplanted and orthotopic kidney. The volume increase of the orthotopic kidneys was with 58 cm³ ± 23.8 cm³ SD (41%) greater than in the corresponding transplanted kidneys with 43 cm³ ± 36.9 cm³ SD (30%).

This study detected a persistent volume increase in both orthotopic and transplanted kidneys after donation. Neither significant increases of hypertension or proteinuria were observable or could be correlated to renal hypertrophy.