Early Evaluation of Cadaver Renal Allotransplant by Means of Radionuclide Imaging

Abstract

Serial camera images of 34 cadaveric kidney transplants in 30 patients correctly indicated kidney death before other factors did so in 6 cases; radionuclide and/or contrast aortography excluded renal artery occlusion. Of 6 patients with minimal concentration at the end of one week, 2 had accelerated rejection with renal death, and 4 had prolonged oliguria but eventually their renal function improved to excellent. In 22 patients with good concentration at the end of one week, all transplants progressed to good renal function, although 4 of these 22 subsequently died, 1 with uremia secondary to chronic rejection.