title: Contrast enhanced ultrasound cholangiography via T-tube following liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective was to evaluate contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) based cholangiography compared to conventional radiography as a reference method in patients after liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Contrast agents were administered through T-tubes, which were placed during the operation. Twelve patients with side-to-side choledocho-choledochostomy and standardized intraoperative T-tube placement were investigated on the 5th postoperative day (POD 5) with both techniques. All images were digitally acquired and assessed in consensus by two investigators regarding complete anatomic visualization, depiction of pathology (e.g. delayed contrast outflow, stenosis and leakage) and general image quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CEUS cholangiography showed comparable results in the detection of biliary pathology and overall image quality. Regarding the visualization of the extrahepatic bile duct CEUS produced limited results in 6 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, CEUS cholangiography via T-tube represents a potential bedside test for visualization of intrahepatic bile ducts of transplanted livers; its diagnostic value remains to be determined in further studies.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Sascha S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eisele
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stelter
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seehofer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grieser
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Warnick
authors.forename: Timm
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Denecke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002758:Cholangiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D045423:Microbubbles; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride