Lung transplantation for lymphangioleiomyomatosis: role of imaging in the assessment of complications related to the underlying disease.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the complications and imaging findings related to lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) after lung transplantation.


METHODS
The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical histories and imaging studies of 13 patients from five major medical centers who underwent unilateral (n = 8) or bilateral (n = 5) lung transplantation for LAM between 1991 and 1997. Complications related to LAM, both before and after transplantation, were recorded.


RESULTS
The following LAM-related complications were found during and after transplantation: excessive pleural adhesions (n = 4), native lung pneumothorax (n = 3), chylous effusion (n = 1), chylous ascites (n = 3), complications from renal angiomyolipomas (n = 4), and recurrent LAM (n = 1). Diagnosis could be made or suggested with computed tomography (CT) in all cases. Four patients (31%) died; one patient died of complications of LAM.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who have undergone lung transplantation for LAM have increased morbidity and mortality due to complications related to their underlying disease. These LAM-related complications can be diagnosed or suggested with CT.
Collins
J
J
Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison 53792-3252, USA.
Müller
N L
NL
Kazerooni
E A
EA
McAdams
H P
HP
Leung
A N
AN
Love
R B
RB
D000328:Adult; D018207:Angiomyolipoma / Q000150:complications; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018192:Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D009017:Morbidity; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed