Gastrointestinal abnormalities in renal homotransplant patients.

Of 93 patients who received a total of 110 consecutive renal transplants, 83 had gastrointestinal contrast studies. These were of value during treatment, management and follow-up of the renal homotransplant patients. Barium studies are most helpful in the diagnosis of unexpected gastrointestinal disease in asymptomatic patients, but of little value in cases of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Common abnormalities include coarsening of the mucosal folds in the stomach and duodenum. Duodenal ulceration is the most commonly diagnosed abnormality in gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Most abnormalities are demonstrated during the first 100 days after transplantation at which time the patient is most susceptible to gastrointestinal disease.