Cavitary lung disease in renal transplant recipients: A single center experience

Abstract

Background: Cavitary lung disease (CLD) in renal transplant recipients is an infrequent complication causing high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine incidence, demographics and treatment properties of cavitary lung lesions in our renal transplant patient population. Methods: We retrospectively examined renal transplant recipients, who were operated between January 2002-October 2013 and observed at Renal Transplantation Unit of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. Demographic features, treatment and outcome of cavitary CLD were investigated. Results: A total of 343 kidney recipients were studied, 7 (2.0%) of whom developed CLD. Median time to develop CLD was 15 months (min:1, max:115) after transplantation. 3 (42.8%) patients had experienced acute rejection and treated with anti-thymocyte globulin within 6 months prior to disease development date. No graft lost, but 2 (28.5%) patient lost was seen because of CLD. Conclusions: Although developments in immunsuppression and antibiotic treatment in recent decades, cavitary lung disease is an important morbidity and mortality reason in renal transplant recipients.

Keywords

• Kidney transplantation
• Cavitary lung disease