Sonographic follow-up after visceral artery stenting.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the sonographic features of stents and the flow parameters of the visceral arteries after stent implantation.


METHODS
Since 1996, 34 stenoses of the visceral arteries (2 mesenteric, 4 celiac trunk, and 28 renal arteries) in 28 patients have been treated with metallic stent implantation in the Department of Radiology of Szeged Medical University. All these patients were regularly followed sonographically. For the diagnosis of restenosis, previously published criteria were used.


RESULTS
All the mesenteric and celiac stents could be visualized, but none of the renal stents were clearly seen sonographically. The flow parameters could be established in all cases. Sonographic examination revealed 1 occlusion, 2 restenoses, and 1 stent displacement. All these abnormalities were confirmed by other imaging modalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonography is a useful tool in the follow-up of patients after visceral artery stenting. Despite the fact that none of the renal artery stents were visualized directly, the flow parameters could be evaluated, and the pathologic changes were found.
Morvay
Zita
Z
Department of Radiology, Szeged Medical University, Korányi Fasor 8, 6720 Szeged, Hungary. mzita@radio.szote.u-szeged.hu
Nagy
Endre
E
Bagi
Róbert
R
Abrahám
Gyorgy
G
Sipka
Róbert
R
Palkó
András
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology*