To suggest an examination protocol for imaging transplant kidneys with ultrasonography. To review findings of normal transplants, as well as the commonest complications post transplantation.

Transplant kidney evaluation is part of every day practice. It includes imaging the donor and recipient before the procedure and assessing the transplant function post surgery. The examination is easier to perform when the examiner follows specific diagnostic steps.

We describe transplantation surgical technique and analyse gray scale, colour and spectral Doppler findings in cases with normal post transplantation renal function: examination includes transplant length, cortical thickness, parenchymal morphology and possible fluid collections. Colour Doppler assessment of arterial and venous anastomoses and spectral analysis of main and intrarenal arteries are also performed. Resistive Index and Peak Systolic Velocity values are obtained. We present the commonest complications (acute tubular necrosis, acute and chronic rejection, infection, renal artery or vein stenosis and thrombosis, infarction, collecting system...

Radiologists and sonographers should be aware of the anatomy, pathophysiology and imaging findings of renal transplantations to be able to assess the transplant organ, as well as to recognise possible complications.

Demosthenes D CokkinosRadiology Department-Evangelismos Hospital5 Dorylaiou-Athens, 11521 GreeceEmail: [email protected]

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