Ultrasound image fusion - clinical implementation and potential benefits for monitoring of renal transplants.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of US image fusion in the clinical routine and to discuss potential benefits for follow-up after renal transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 patients with a renal transplant were prospectively included in the study. For all of them, a previously performed CT- or MRI-scan covering the renal transplant was available. Each patient was investigated using ultrasound image fusion. Time needed for sucessful implementation of image fusion was registered. Subsequently, quality of image fusion was assessed by two experienced radiologists (10 and 5 years of experience) in consensus using a subjective 5 point rank scale (1 = best).

RESULTS: Image fusion was successfully performed in all patients. Time needed for setup of image fusion varied from 45-120 sec (85 ± 5 sec). The score for quality of US image fusion was 1.9 ± 0.7.

CONCLUSION: Assessment of renal transplants using US image fusion is feasible and provides several potential benefits for the follow-up of renal transplants.