The Potential for CEUS to Detect Segmental Renal Allograft Infarction

Abstract

This case study provides a report on a patient who had a segmental renal allograft infarction. The cause of this infarction within the segmental vessels was theorized to be due to prolonged warm ischemia within the organ donor. The area of infarction was visualized by the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). This report raises the question as to whether routine sonographic imaging can demonstrated the sequence of infarction within a fresh renal allograft, as is routinely noted in native kidneys. This report highlights the importance of taking the segmental infarction into consideration when approaching the renal allograft recipient. CEUS could provide an important clinical application for the diagnosis of renal allograft infarctions and avoid more invasive procedures. Knowledge of the lack of sequence of sonographic changes in renal allograft infarction helps in assessing the function and outcomes of renal allograft recipients.