PURPOSE: This paper discusses the role of colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) in the midterm follow-up of patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 134 patients--102 men and 32 women, age range 21-68 years--who underwent liver transplantation between May 2006 and April 2007. In the first week after OLT, CDUS examination was performed daily in patients with anastomoses at a high risk of thrombosis, and on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings in other patients. After discharge, follow-up was performed 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation. Any new parenchymal focal lesion was studied by computed tomography (CT) and, where needed, biopsy. RESULTS: CDUS identified the following complications: 22 biliary (B), nine vascular (V) and seven focal lesions (FL). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy were, respectively: 79.2%, 97.3%, 86.3%, 95.5%, 94% (B), 100%, 99.2%, 88.9%, 100%, 99.3% (V) and 100%, 96.9%, 42.8%, 100%, 97% (FL). CDUS also showed 16 blood collections and eight suspected biliary collections (four of which were confirmed by percutaneous puncture). CONCLUSIONS: CDUS is an essential diagnostic tool in the follow-up of OLT. An early diagnosis of complications can improve graft integrity and patient survival.
PURPOSE: This paper discusses the role of colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) in the midterm follow-up of patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 134 patients--102 men and 32 women, age range 21-68 years--who underwent liver transplantation between May 2006 and April 2007. In the first week after OLT, CDUS examination was performed daily in patients with anastomoses at a high risk of thrombosis, and on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings in other patients. After discharge, follow-up was performed 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation. Any new parenchymal focal lesion was studied by computed tomography (CT) and, where needed, biopsy. RESULTS:CDUS identified the following complications: 22 biliary (B), nine vascular (V) and seven focal lesions (FL). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy were, respectively: 79.2%, 97.3%, 86.3%, 95.5%, 94% (B), 100%, 99.2%, 88.9%, 100%, 99.3% (V) and 100%, 96.9%, 42.8%, 100%, 97% (FL). CDUS also showed 16 blood collections and eight suspected biliary collections (four of which were confirmed by percutaneous puncture). CONCLUSIONS:CDUS is an essential diagnostic tool in the follow-up of OLT. An early diagnosis of complications can improve graft integrity and patient survival.
Authors: J Pirenne; F Van Gelder; W Coosemans; R Aerts; B Gunson; T Koshiba; I Fourneau; D Mirza; W Van Steenbergen; J Fevery; F Nevens; P McMaster Journal: Liver Transpl Date: 2001-06 Impact factor: 5.799
Authors: Mohammad S Khuroo; Hamad Al Ashgar; Naira S Khuroo; Mohammad Q Khan; Hatem A Khalaf; Mohammad Al-Sebayel; Mohammad G El Din Hassan Journal: J Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 4.029
Authors: J O Colonna; A Shaked; A S Gomes; S D Colquhoun; O Jurim; S V McDiarmid; J M Millis; L I Goldstein; R W Busuttil Journal: Ann Surg Date: 1992-09 Impact factor: 12.969
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