Percutaneous Aspiration and Drainage of Fluid Collections after Pancreatic or Renal Transplantation

Abstract

Whole or segmental PT is sometimes complicated by the development of intra-abdominal fluid collections. Detection of fluid after PT can be accomplished with US, CT, or RM. Indications for radiologic procedures of the abdomen and pelvis after transplantation are fever, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, suspected hemorrhage. Fluid can be localized in a peripancreatic location or it can present as free ascites of a variable amount. The sizes of the collections are variable and are sometimes difficult to precisely measure because of their irregular shape. MR imaging is the preferred imaging technique for estimating volume and shape of the fluid collection. T1 and T2 signal intensity sometimes allows to charaterize the fluid. But CT is the most common technique for symptomatic pancreas recipients, often more useful than US when an adynamic ileus is present, and the occurence of multiple fluid collections and interloop free peritoneal fluid makes CT more effective than US. CT scans are done after bowel opacification, with or whithout contrast medium injection.