Is Duplex-Ultrasound a useful tool in defining rejection episodes in composite tissue allograft transplants?

ABSTRACT

Immunologic reactions in transplanted organs are in more or less all allograft patients detectable clear parameters exist as e.g. in renal transplants where the clearance power reduces by rejection. On the contrary, in composite tissue allografts clear and objective indicators stating a rejection episode lack. We present the case of a hand-transplanted subject with signs of acute transplant rejection diagnosed by means of Duplex Ultrasound and confirmed by biopsy.