What are the signs of rejection in a renal transplant?

In the context of renal transplant rejection, the correct signs often observed using imaging techniques involve changes in the size and echogenicity of the transplanted kidney. Increased renal transplant size is indicative of swelling, which can occur due to inflammation associated with rejection. When the kidney rejects the transplant, there is also an increase in cortical echogenicity, suggesting an increase in the renal parenchymal density and edema. These changes reflect the underlying pathophysiology of renal rejection, where the immune system attacks the renal tissue, leading to interstitial inflammation, edema, and ultimately, changes in kidney structure that can be detected on ultrasound.

The combination of increased size and increased echogenicity serves as a key ultrasound marker for clinicians to suspect renal transplant rejection. Understanding these ultrasound characteristics is critical in the timely identification and management of potential complications following kidney transplantation.