[Diagnostic relevance of contact thermography in renal transplantation (author's transl)].

102 renal transplant recipients were checked by contact thermography according to Tricoire for 2 1/2 years. Diagnostic value of this non invasive, quickly available and reproduceable method was investigated. The grafted kidney reveals on the thermographic screen its size, site, and vascularisation. The thermograhic pattern of a well functioning transplant shows warm areas in green, blue and violet colour. Onset of acute or chronic renal rejection leads to impaired heat conduction to the body surface either by oedema or by diminished blood flow. By photographic documentation in natural colour spotted or diffuse cold regions of brown, maroon and orange are seen. In the very early posttransplant period up to two months thermography is helpful in differential diagnosis for those recipients requiring initial haemodialysis treatment. Information is available between non functioning grafts with diminished renal blood supply and transplants with acute tubular necrosis. Impressive thermograms are found by rupture and subrupture of the kidney respectively. Superficial perirenal changes lead to topical temperature elevation as well. The high reliability of 92% correct diagnoses depends on exact application of the thermosensitive film and on determination of the basic individual skin temperature in reference to repeated examinations of the grafted area. Temperature measurement is influenced by subcutaneous abdominal fat distribution and muscle thickness as well as by deep position of the transplant or asymmetry of the lower abdominal region. In the wide field of diagnostic procedures necessary for transplant recipients with complications thermography by Tricoire is recommended.