Renal transplantationOutcomeRenal Parenchyma Perfusion Spectrum and Resistive Index (RI) in Ultrasound Examinations With Contrast Medium in the Early Period After Kidney Transplantation
Section snippets
Materials and Methods
The study enrolled 18 patients (11 females and 7 males) of overall mean age of 50.17 ± 15.08 years who at 5 to 10 days after transplantation were displaying variable graft function. In 10 patients graft function was seen at the first day after transplantation; in 3 cases at 2 days; in 1 case at 3 days; in 1 case at 5 days; in 2 cases at 6 days; and in 1 case at 10 days after transplantation.
All contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations were performed by one senior radiologist using a
Results
The contrast-enhanced examination revealed equal, efficient inflow of the contrast agent into all areas of the transplanted kidney. After an intravenous injection and a lapse of a dozen seconds, contrast agent was apparent within the renal artery in the renal hilus; thereafter contrast was observed in the renal cortex and finally in the renal pyramids. Analysis of the collected data (parenchymal perfusion curves) revealed relations between eGFR and parameters of blood flow within the renal
Discussion
The transplanted kidney is well vascularized, so the use of contrast media allows quantitative evaluation of parenchymal perfusion. The protocol of contrast-enhanced US examination of transplanted kidneys was introduced by Fischer et al.5 It is well known that US examinations depend on the examiner and are limited in obese individuals or in cases when the graft lies deep within the iliac fossa.6 These circumstances can impair the examination and increase the misinterpretation. The renal RI is
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