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Ultrasound and MR are radiation friendly, non-nephrotoxic imaging modalities that play a key role in the management of pediatric renal transplant complications, researchers have found. Ultrasound and MR are radiation friendly, non-nephrotoxic imaging modalities that play a key role in the management of pediatric renal transplant complications, researchers have found. The study, a review of a five year experience with both techniques in the St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, was presented at the UK Radiological Congress in Manchester.

Dr. Kshitji Mankad and colleagues carried out a retrospective analysis of the data between 2000 and 2006 using the Proton database. Each clinical event in a patient with advanced kidney disease is recorded in their centre by specially trained nurses on the Proton system. The imaging for each complication recorded was reviewed by an experienced pediatric radiologist.

The complications of pediatric renal transplantation can be classified as parenchymal (ATN, acute/chronic rejection, drug nephrotoxicity), collections (haematoma, seroma, lymphocoele, urinoma), vascular (arterial/venous stenosis or thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, infarction) and collecting system abnormalities (ureteric obstruction).

A total of 84 renal transplants were carried out during this period - 72 cadaveric, 12 live-related donor, recipient age range three to 15 years (median 9.5 years), M:F 2.7:1, average follow-up period from date of transplant 2.6 years.

Thirteen patients had a complication identified on imaging (15.5 per cent). Parenchymal complications were seen in five, symptomatic collections in two, vascular complications in five and ureteric obstruction in one. No mortality was reported.