Native Kidney Recovery After a Failed Renal Transplant

Abstract

A 51-year-old woman who underwent cadaveric renal transplantation for end-stage renal failure secondary to the hemolytic uremic syndrome is described. Her recovery was complicated by a ruptured diverticular abscess and infarction of the transplanted kidney. Her native kidney function recovered sufficiently to remain dialysis independent. This case illustrates the importance of imaging the native kidneys as well as the transplanted kidney in the presence of puzzling clinical features. Native kidneys are seldom imaged in renal transplant studies, which are obtained by positioning the camera over the pelvis anteriorly, whereas renal studies are normally obtained with the camera positioned posteriorly. The presumed cause of the recovery of the native renal function was the immunosuppression given to maintain the transplanted kidney.