Renal vein stenosis with transudative ascites from graft after renal transplantation with good response after percutaneous stent placement.

Abstract Ascites sometimes occurs as a result of technical complications of transplant surgery or other medical reasons, including hepatic, cardiac, or oncologic pathology. Renal vein stenosis after renal transplant resulting in transudative ascites is rare; thus there are few if any data on such cases. Stent implantation seems to be a safe and elective approach to treatment of this rare condition. We present the case of a 22-year-old woman in whom massive ascites developed 33 months after renal transplantation. After the analysis of the ascites fluid and exclusion of transplant artery stenosis, graft rejection, infection, portal hypertension, and other possible etiologies, the final diagnosis of graft renal vein stenosis with transudative ascites derived from the graft was made based on imaging studies, including Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography. The patient underwent angiographic stent placement, and the ascites markedly improved after the procedure. Renal vein stenosis complicated with ascites after renal transplantation is highly unusual; the patient's response to angiographic stent placement was beneficial, with satisfactory resolution of the blockage and ascites.