title: Clinical use of Levovist, an ultrasound contrast agent, in the imaging of liver transplantation: assessment of the pre- and post-transplant patient.
abstract: Colour Doppler US is well established for imaging of hepatic vessels in the assessment of pre- and post-liver transplant patients. Unfortunately, a full colour Doppler US examination of the portal or hepatic venous and hepatic arterial systems is frequently precluded by technical factors. Ultrasound contrast agents are useful in enhancing vascular Doppler signal and play an important role in liver transplantation assessment. A series of patients with vascular problems illustrates the role of US contrast in the pre-transplant candidate, where portal vein patency and direction of flow is assessed, presence of portal vein thrombus is confirmed and cavernous transformation demonstrated. Occlusion of hepatic veins in Budd-Chiari syndrome is confidently confirmed. Following liver transplantation, US contrast allows a comprehensive assessment of hepatic artery thrombosis, hepatic artery stenosis and pseudoaneurysm formation. The need for further imaging is reduced or confidently deferred in many instances. Ultrasound contrast agents play an important role in the liver transplant candidate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sidhu
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508