Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in renal transplantation: a review of cytologic features

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy has been found to be a sensitive and reproducible method for kidney transplant monitoring. Cytological evaluation of the aspirates and blood samples taken concurrently were done from May-Grünwald-Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge preparations. There were no complications related to this procedure. From the specimens it was possible to detect the immunoactivation cells and to evaluate the condition of the graft parenchymal cells, permitting diagnosis of rejection, acute tubular necrosis, and cyclosporine toxicity. Our findings corroborate other studies in the literature documenting the useful role of cytologic examination of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in renal transplantation.