Ultrasound diagnosis of posttransplant renal lymphocele

Mesenteric Cysts: An Overview

“…Elliot [ 15] has suggested that the persistence of microvascular lymphaticovenous shunts may explain the pathogenesis of mesenteric cysts, while Goddart [16] proposed that cysts are produced when embryonic lymphatics fail to join the venous sys tem. Other theories implicating possible lymphatic in volvement include localized lymph node degeneration [4] and inflammatory obstruction [17], abdominal trauma or previous laparotomy [18,19] or nonfusion of the mesenteric leaves during embryonic growth [20], The exact cause remains to be defined but lymphatic obstruc tion [21] seems less likely because of the extensive net work of lymphatic anastomosis and since direct investi gation by lymphangiography has not documented ob struction [22] nor have mesenteric cysts been produced by direct thoracic duct ligation [23], Furthermore, they do not appear to be linked with the congenital disorder of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia [24], Therefore, theories which attribute the origin of mesenteric cysts to sequestrations of the lymphatics, trauma, or localized degeneration of lymphatics seem most promising [25,26], Several classifications have been devised for mesen teric cysts. Vaugh et al [9] described them as either sim ple or neoplastic.…”

Mesenteric chylous (lymph-containing) cyst

“…Traumatic or acquired cysts commonly occur in postsurgical patients and in areas of apparent hemorrhagic necrosis [2]. Following renal transplantation or radical resection of the pelvic, abdominal, or retroperitoheal lymph nodes a lymphocele may form (a variant of the unilocular cyst) [14][15][16]. Neoplastic, infectious, and degenerative processes have also been considered possible causes [2].…”

An Interesting Case of Failed Renal Transplant Complicated by a Lymphocele Infected with Pasteurella multocida and a Review of the Literature

“…Though computed axial tomography, intravenous pyelogram, lymphoscintigraphy and lymphangiography have been used in the past, ultrasound is clearly the radiologic proce dure of choice [21,34,45,46,49], Though very useful, ultasound cannot make a definitive diagnosis because of its variable reliability in differentiating between lymphoccle, urinoma, seroma, abscess and hematoma. The defin itive diagnosis is made by demonstrating equal concentra tions of electrolytes, urea nitrogen and creatinine in both the lymphocele and the serum.…”