The value of ultrasound in the postoperative assessment of renal transplant patients is firmly Ultrasonography is capable of not only identifying posttransplant complications such as lymphoceles and abscesses, but also contributing to their successful management by guiding percutaneous aspiration. Fluid collections are found around transplant kidneys in approximately half of all recipients4 The majority of these collections are lymphoceles, although abscesses, urinomas, and hematomas are frequently reported. Though less common, ovarian masses can be found in as many as 7% of female transplant recipients under 40 years of age.5 Because these adnexal masses can be difficult to distinguish sonographically from the more common fluid collections, significant errors in management of the patient can result. We present a case of an ovarian cystadenoma that closely resembled a lymphocele collection in a young female transplant recipient.
CASE REPORT
A 38-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosis experienced progressive loss of renal function that necessitated maintenance dialysis and ultimately renal transplantation. In the immediate posttransplant period, the patient was found to have a septated fluid collection by ultrasonography (Figure 1). This collection was thought to represent a peritransplant lymphocele, and was aspirated twice under ultrasound guidance. A small fluid collection remained after the aspirations.
Approximately two years following transplantation, this patient presented to the emergency