[Sonography for clarify complications after renal transplantation (author's transl)]

The diagnostic value of the ultrasound method was studied via 170 individual examinations in 75 patients. The method is particularly well suited for an accurate determination of the location and size of the transplanted kidney and for demonstrating perirenal growing and displacing processes such as cystic lymphangiomas, haematomas and abscesses. In addition, ultrasound supplies information on the area covered by lacunae. However, the use of the method for diagnosing casting-off reactions is limited on account of the great variability of the dimensional parameters. It can be used without risk in followup studies of patients with transplanted kidneys, since it is a non-invasive method. It deserves preference among the possible methods of investigation, especially when growing and displacing processes have to be identified.