Lymphoproliferative disorders after renal transplantation: role of medicalimaging

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a complicatio n of immunosuppressed transplant recipients, and their incidence is reporte d to be 20-120 times greater than the rate in the general population. After kidney transplantation. PTLD more likely arise within the renal transplant fossa. Radiological patterns of these forms are presented and discussed, a ccording to a review of the literature, and illustrated by cases from our i nstitution. Ultrasound plays an essential role in the early diagnosis of PT LD by detecting a urinary obstruction associated with adenopathy or an ill- defined mass not previously seen. However, in the case of an inconclusive U S examination, CT or MRI should be performed to confirm the presence of a m ass. Both techniques are useful in evaluating the extension of the process within the transplantation fossa; MRI seems more accurate and can be used f or the follow-up, especially after reduction in immunosuppressive therapy w ithout transplant removal.