Vascular complications after liver transplantation: evaluation with Doppler US.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the spectral and color Doppler ultrasonography (US) findings that would indicate vascular complications after liver transplantation and to report our single center results of vascular complications detected in liver transplant recipients.


METHODS
Our study was consisted of 326 patients who underwent liver transplantation procedures between November 1997 and May 2004. The records of all patients were reviewed retrospectively for the details of each patient's post-transplant Doppler US examinations, visceral angiographic examinations, and/or surgical procedures. Doppler US findings were correlated with angiographic results or surgery. Sensitivity and specificity of Doppler US parameters for the diagnosis of vascular complications of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic veins were calculated.


RESULTS
Vascular complications occurred in 47 patients (14%). Eight instances of vascular complications were detected intraoperatively by Doppler US at the time of transplantation. For hepatic artery complications, use of a Doppler US criteria resulted in a sensitivity and a specificity of 92% and 97%, respectively. Doppler US parameters also resulted in a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% in detecting portal vein complications, and resulted in a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100% in detecting hepatic vein complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is clear that Doppler US evaluation is an effective choice for diagnosing vascular complications after liver transplantation, we also observed that Doppler US examination plays an important role in detecting vascular complications intraoperatively and improving the patient's chance for a successful outcome.
Tamsel
Sadik
S
Department of Radiology, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey. sadiktamsel@yahoo.com
Demirpolat
Gulgun
G
Killi
Refik
R
Aydin
Unal
U
Kilic
Murat
M
Zeytunlu
Murat
M
Parildar
Mustafa
M
Oran
Ismail
I
Ucar
Hakan
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler