1
|
Bhargava P. Invited Commentary: Imaging of Complications in Liver Transplant-What Every Radiologist Should Know. Radiographics 2022; 42:E90-E91. [PMID: 35245107 DOI: 10.1148/rg.220024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Puneet Bhargava
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Room BB308, Box 357115, Seattle, WA 98195-7115
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brookmeyer CE, Bhatt S, Fishman EK, Sheth S. Multimodality Imaging after Liver Transplant: Top 10 Important Complications. Radiographics 2022; 42:702-721. [PMID: 35245104 DOI: 10.1148/rg.210108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Patients who have undergone liver transplant are now regularly seen in day-to-day radiology practice. All surgical techniques for liver transplant require arterial, portal venous, hepatic venous and caval, and biliary anastomoses. This review is focused on the 10 "not to be missed" complications of liver transplant that affect the health and life of the graft and graft recipient. Arterial complications are the most common and devastating. Early hepatic artery thrombosis may be catastrophic because the biliary tree is solely dependent on the hepatic artery after transplant and collateral vessels have not yet formed. In contrast, delayed hepatic artery thrombosis may be more insidious as collateral arteries develop. US findings of delayed hepatic artery thrombosis may be similar to those of hepatic artery stenosis and celiac artery stenosis. Splenic artery steal syndrome is an increasingly recognized cause of graft ischemia. Venous complications are much less common. Hepatic venous and caval complications are notable for their increased incidence in living-donor and pediatric transplants. Biliary complications often result from arterial ischemia. Biliary cast syndrome is a notable example in which ischemic biliary mucosa sloughs into and obstructs the duct lumens. Neoplasms also may occur within the hepatic graft and may be due to recurrent malignancy, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, or metastases. US is the initial imaging modality of choice, particularly in the acute postoperative setting. Further evaluation with contrast-enhanced US, CT, or MRI; catheter angiography; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; and/or nuclear medicine studies is performed as needed. An invited commentary by Bhargava is available online. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Brookmeyer
- From the Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 601 N Caroline St, Baltimore, MD 21287 (C.E.B., E.K.F.); Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (S.B.); and Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY (S.S.)
| | - Shweta Bhatt
- From the Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 601 N Caroline St, Baltimore, MD 21287 (C.E.B., E.K.F.); Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (S.B.); and Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY (S.S.)
| | - Elliot K Fishman
- From the Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 601 N Caroline St, Baltimore, MD 21287 (C.E.B., E.K.F.); Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (S.B.); and Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY (S.S.)
| | - Sheila Sheth
- From the Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 601 N Caroline St, Baltimore, MD 21287 (C.E.B., E.K.F.); Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla (S.B.); and Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY (S.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Liver transplantation has become a definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and those meeting Milan criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma. The morbidity and mortality associated with liver transplantation continues to decrease thanks to refinements in surgical technique, immunosuppression, and imaging. In particular, imaging plays a vital role by facilitating early detection of post-operative complications and enabling prompt treatment. Post-operative complications that lead to graft failure and patient morbidity/mortality can be generally categorized as vascular, biliary, parenchymal, and malignant. Vascular complications include stenosis and thrombosis of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and inferior vena cava; hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm; arteriovenous fistula; and celiac stenosis. Biliary abnormalities include strictures, bile leak, obstruction, recurrent disease, and infection. While imaging is not primarily utilized to diagnose allograft rejection, it plays an important role in excluding mechanical causes of graft dysfunction that can mimic rejection. Ultrasound is routinely performed as the first-line imaging evaluation for the detection and follow-up of early and delayed complications. Cholangiography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography are useful in detecting and characterizing biliary complications. Computed tomography is often used to further evaluate abnormal findings on ultrasound or for the characterization of post-operative fluid collections. The aim of this review is to discuss and illustrate the imaging findings of complications associated with liver transplantation and their role in facilitating treatment.
Collapse
|
4
|
Romberg EK, Concepcion NDP, Laya BF, Lee EY, Phillips GS. Imaging Assessment of Complications from Transplantation from Pediatric to Adult Patients: Part 1: Solid Organ Transplantation. Radiol Clin North Am 2020; 58:549-568. [PMID: 32276703 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
End-stage organ failure is commonly treated with transplantation of the respective failing organ. Although outcomes have progressively improved over the decades, early and late complications do occur, and are often diagnosed by imaging. Given the increasing survival rates of transplant patients, the general radiologist may encounter these patients in the outpatient setting. Awareness of the normal radiologic findings after transplantation, and imaging findings of the more common complications, is therefore important. We review and illustrate the imaging assessment of complications from lung, liver, and renal transplantation, highlighting the key similarities and differences between pediatric and adult patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Romberg
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, MA.7.220, 4800 Sand Point Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Nathan David P Concepcion
- Section of Pediatric Radiology, Institute of Radiology, St. Luke's Medical Center-Global City, Rizal Drive cor. 32nd Street and 5th Avenue, Taguig City, 1634 Philippines; St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial, Quezon City, Philippines; Philippine Society for Pediatric Radiology
| | - Bernard F Laya
- St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial, Quezon City, Philippines; Philippine Society for Pediatric Radiology; Section of Pediatric Radiology, Institute of Radiology, St. Luke's Medical Center-Quezon City, 279 East Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City 1112, Philippines
| | - Edward Y Lee
- Division of Thoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Grace S Phillips
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, MA.7.220, 4800 Sand Point Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|