Real-time contrast-enhanced sonography in renal transplant recipients.
Conventional colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) is a well-established and the most frequently used imaging procedure to diagnose kidney allograft dysfunction. Unfortunately, this technique is limited to the estimation of the allograft perfusion in large arteries. Early diagnosis of vascular damage, i.e., chronic allograft nephropathy is essential for an early therapeutic intervention. CDUS is still limited in interpreting vascular integrity. In contrast-enhanced sonography (CES) is a feasible technique for quantitative analysis of kidney perfusion and early diagnosis of biopsy proven chronic allograft nephropathy. CES does not provide only quantitative information on microvascular perfusion of the renal allografts but also represents improved diagnostic significance compared with CDUS for the detection of chronic allograft nephropathy.
Schwenger
Vedat
V
Department of Nephrology, Medical University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. vedat.schwenger@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Hinkel
Ulrich-Paul
UP
Nahm
Anna-Maria
AM
Morath
Christian
C
Zeier
Martin
M
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media