Use of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in evaluation of renal transplant complications.

Technetium-99m-sulfur colloid (TSC) was administered to 45 renal transplant patients. No TSC accumulation was seen in normally functioning transplant kidneys. Accumulation of TSC was found in 89% of transplants with rejection, in 30% of transplants exhibiting acute tubular necrosis, and in 30% of transplants of patients with sepsis. Renal accumulation of TSC in various transplant complications diminishes the value of this technique for monitoring transplant rejection.