Color doppler ultrasonography in the diagnostic evaluation of renal allografts

Abstract

Color Doppler ultrasonography of large allograft vessels and renal parenchyma is established firmly in the diagnosis of renal allograft perfusion. While conventional color Doppler ultrasonography has proven itself to be an indispensable, rapid, highly valid and practicable method, e.g. in the diagnosis of allograft artery stenosis or allograft vein thrombosis, the diagnostic usefulness of this method with regard to allograft perfusion is considerably limited. With contrast-enhanced sonography, a simple and readily implementable method that enables the early diagnosis of chronic allograft nephropathy is now available. The timely diagnosis of vascular damage prior to a rise in S-creatinine offers the possibility of early therapeutic intervention and thus at least the potential for the improvement of allograft survival.