Dbs. Johnson et al., RADIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF SIMULTANEOUS PANCREAS-KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION, Irish journal of medical science, 165(2), 1996, pp. 105-108
We describe the radiographic imaging modalities that were used in the
first twelve consecutive patients who have undergone simultaneous panc
reas and kidney transplantation (SPK) at our institution, The total nu
mber of examinations undertaken in this study included ultrasound (n=2
2), radionucleide scanning (n=19), cystography (n=14), computed tomogr
aphy (n=2) and magnetic resonance imaging (n=1), Eighteen percent (5/2
2) ultrasound examinations were abnormal (perirenal collection [n=4],
peri-pancreatic collection [n=1]). Two collections required aspiration
and were confirmed as lymphocoeles. Cystography showed ureteric reflu
x in two patients and radionucleide DTPA scanning revealed a delay in
the excretory phase in 20% of patients, CT was used in two patients wi
th SPK and demonstrated large peri-pancreatic collections, No episodes
of rejection or late graft pancreatitis were noted in this series. We
discuss the role of radiographic imaging in detecting early graft fai
lure and also in defining the surgical complications that may arise fo
llowing transplantation. We also outline the merits and disadvantages
of each imaging modality, We conclude that the most useful initial ima
ging techniques in the evaluation of patients following SPK are ultras
ound including Doppler and nuclear medicine.