Contrast‐enhanced sonography of postbiopsy arteriovenous fistulas in kidney grafts

AbstractPurpose.To assess the usefulness of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CE‐US) in the visualization of a kidney graft following a biopsy that was complicated by an arteriovenous fistula (AVF).Methods.Four postrenal transplant patients who had developed AVFs following graft biopsy were examined using standard US and CE‐US. Additionally, follow‐up examinations were conducted using CE‐US, at 4–6 weeks and 10–12 weeks following fistula closure.Results.The fistulas were detected using color Doppler US, Power Doppler US, and B‐flow technique. Reduced parenchymal flow was only detected in one case using standard flow visualization techniques. CE‐US allowed for the visualization of regions of disturbed parenchymal perfusion that were not visible in the standard examinations. At follow‐up, B‐mode ultrasound and standard flow examinations appeared normal. However, all contrast‐enhanced images showed clearly demarcated residual regions of reduced parenchymal perfusion, in areas where the fistulas had been previously present.Conclusions.A posttraumatic AVF reduces parenchymal perfusion in the affected region. CE‐US examination may help in monitoring fistulas during the active phase and following spontaneous closure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011

Contrast‐enhanced sonography of postbiopsy arteriovenous fistulas in kidney grafts Journal Articles