Successful Salvage of a Renal Allograft Where an Infected Lymphocele Caused Pressure-Related Extensive Venous Thrombosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Venous Allograft Thrombosis (VAT) is the leading non-immunological cause for early graft loss after kidney transplantation (KT), with a reported prevalence up to 4.2% [1]. VAT usually has a devastating effect, notoriously difficult to treat and ultimately leading to graft loss in most cases. In contrast, post-transplant lymphocele is a frequent complication after KT, with a reported prevalence up to 33.9% [2]. However, lymphocele related pressure-induced VAT has not been reported previously. Endovascular Therapy (ET) is to date considered first-line therapy for arterial complications after KT. However, its role for VAT is still unclear and reports are lacking.

We present a case of an extended kidney VAT, caused by compression of a large lymphocele and rescued with non-surgical treatment.