Radiology, Vol 195, 667-671, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America
Prevalence of acquired cystic kidney disease and tumors in native kidneys of renal transplant recipients: a prospective US study
G Heinz-Peer, M Schoder, T Rand, G Mayer and GH Mostbeck
Department of Radiology, Universitatsklinik fur Radiodiagnostik, Vienna, Australia.
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of acquired cystic kidney disease
(ACKD) and renal neoplasms in the native kidneys of renal transplant
recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ultrasound (US) scans in 385 renal
allograft recipients were prospectively studied. In addition, 65 patients
with ACKD underwent two additional US examinations on different days to
assess intra- and interobserver variability with regard to the number of
cysts and their diameter. RESULTS: ACKD was present in 96 of 385 patients.
Patients with ACKD were significantly older than patients without ACKD, had
undergone hemodialysis for a longer period, and were predominantly men.
There was no significant difference in the time with functioning graft.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was diagnosed in six patients at histologic
examination. Of these six patients, five had evidence of ACKD. CONCLUSION:
The frequency of ACKD increases with the duration of hemodialysis. The risk
for the development of ACKD is increased in men and older patients. The
malignant potential of ACKD persists after renal transplantation.
