Lymphoproliferative disorders after liver transplantation: imaging features.
BACKGROUND
To define the imaging features of lymphoproliferative disorders that occur after liver transplantation.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 605 liver transplantations between 1985 and 1998 showed 20 patients with posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs). All relevant clinical, imaging, and pathologic findings were reviewed.


RESULTS
PTLDs occurred in 13 men and seven women (mean age = 43.3 years, age range = 18-68 years). The time to diagnosis of disease ranged from 1.5 to 51 months (mean = 14 months) posttransplantation. Cervical, thoracic, or abdominal lymphadenopathy was seen in 11 patients (55%). A complex portal mass in five patients (25%) was the second most common manifestation of PTLD, ranging in size from 5 to 12 cm. Other findings included gastrointestinal tract involvement in three patients (15%) seen as a duodenal mass and diffuse wall thickening in one patient and large bowel thickening in two patients with preexisting inflammatory bowel disease.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a wide spectrum of findings in lymphoproliferative disorder after liver transplantation. The presence of lymphadenopathy, a portal mass, or bowel thickening indicates a need for further investigation to reach a pathologic diagnosis.
Wu
L
L
Department of Medical Imaging, The Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.
Rappaport
D C
DC
Hanbidge
A
A
Merchant
N
N
Shepherd
F A
FA
Greig
P D
PD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography