In this study, the preliminary data from our study demonstrate that SLEEK sequence was capable of displaying transplant renal vascular anatomy and complications. Our results show that consistantly high-quality images can be obtained by using SLEEK, which enabled visualization of even small branches within the transplant renal parenchyma and subtle accessory renal arteries. However, because the signal of the arteries depends on the cardiac output of the patient, a suboptimal blood-suppression TI may lead to poor signal-to-noise ratio and vessel depiction. We did not obtain an additional scout image, which may be helpful in evaluating the flow velocity in the aorta to optimize the blood-suppression TI; thus, a larger study for full comparative evaluation of diagnostic performance is necessary. In conclusion, unenhanced MR angiography with SLEEK preliminarily proved to be a reliable diagnostic method for depiction of anatomy and complications of renal vascular transplant. It may be used for evaluation of patients with renal transplant, and in particular for those with renal insufficiency.
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