ASSESSMENT OF VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS OF RENAL, HEPATIC, AND PANCREATIC TRANSPLANTATION

The assessment of the vasculature of the transplant recipient is complex; current emphasis is on utilization of noninvasive techniques, particularly conventional and color duplex sonography. These examinations reduce the need for diagnostic angiography, and their findings provide crucial information with regard to vascular complications seen after transplantation, such as arterial or venous stenosis or occlusion, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysms. However, the complexity of the clinical settings of these vascular complications often makes other noninvasive examinations, as well as angiography, necessary. Some complications are common to all three types of transplantations, but some, such as graft thrombosis in pancreatic transplantation, predominate in one particular type of transplant. Use of imaging is also important in identifying candidates for liver transplantation. In addition, access for therapeutic radiologic intervention can be provided with diagnostic angiographic procedures.