Magnetic resonance imaging of renal transplants

Nineteen patients were examined to determine the clinical potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of renal transplants. A 0.6-T cryogenic magnet and spin-echo technique with varying pulsing factors were used. T1-weighted images were best for differentiating the cortical and medullary parts of the transplanted kidney. Of the six living-related transplants with good renal function that were imaged, five demonstrated good corticomedullary differentiation (CMD) and one faint CMD. Three transplants with acute rejection were imaged, and all demonstrated a decrease in CMD and decrease in overall signal intensity compared with baseline. No CMD was seen in the three chronically rejecting transplants imaged. The appearance of cadaveric transplants and acute tubular necrosis was quite variable. All perinephric fluid collections were well depicted by MRI. Lymphoceles could be distinguished from hematomas. MRI may prove to be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of renal transplants and perinephric fluid collections.