1
|
Kehler T, Grothues D, Evert K, Wahlenmayer J, Knoppke B, Melter M. Elastography-The New Standard in the Assessment of Fibrosis After Pediatric Liver Transplantation? Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14832. [PMID: 39075333 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of graft fibrosis after pediatric liver transplantation (PLT) remains a major concern as it can lead to graft failure and ultimately graft loss. Elastography is a non-invasive method to assess liver fibrosis, but its role in the posttransplant setting is unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate shear wave elastography (SWE) in the assessment of liver fibrosis after PLT, including split-liver recipients. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from PLT recipients who underwent surveillance liver biopsy and concurrent 2D-SWE during the study period from April 2018 to July 2021. Spearman's correlation was used to compare histologic fibrosis stages with liver stiffness measurements (LSM) by 2D-SWE. AUROC analysis was performed to evaluate the performance. One sample t-test was used to compare results with reference values of healthy children. RESULTS 62 cases were included. 29% showed histologic fibrosis. LSM by 2D-SWE were feasible in all children regardless of age or graft type. There was a significant correlation between LSM and fibrosis stage for all three scoring systems used (Ishak, p = 0.003; METAVIR, p = 0.005; LAF Score, p = 0.003). Patients with a history of biliary complications had increased liver stiffness (p = 0.015). The AUROC of 2D-SWE for predicting significant liver graft fibrosis was 0.81. Liver stiffness after PLT without graft fibrosis was higher than in healthy subjects, but comparable to that in children with chronic liver disease without fibrosis. CONCLUSION 2D-SWE can reliably detect children with significant liver graft fibrosis, even in split-liver recipients. This study demonstrates the value of a non-invasive tool for fibrosis staging after PLT. 2D-SWE has the potential to improve long-term outcomes after PLT and to reduce the number of surveillance liver biopsies. But elastography is not a substitute for liver biopsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kehler
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grothues
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katja Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Janka Wahlenmayer
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Knoppke
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Melter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yoon H, Kim J, Lim HJ, Lee MJ. Quantitative Liver Imaging in Children. Invest Radiol 2024:00004424-990000000-00238. [PMID: 39047265 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT In children and adults, quantitative imaging examinations determine the effectiveness of treatment for liver disease. However, pediatric liver disease differs in presentation from liver disease in adults. Children also needed to be followed for a longer period from onset and have less control of their bodies, showing more movement than adults during imaging examinations, which leads to a greater need for sedation. Thus, it is essential to appropriately tailor and accurately perform noninvasive imaging tests in these younger patients. This article is an overview of updated imaging techniques used to assess liver disease quantitatively in children. The common initial imaging study for diffuse liver disease in pediatric patients is ultrasound. In addition to preexisting echo analysis, newly developed attenuation imaging techniques have been introduced to evaluate fatty liver. Ultrasound elastography is also now actively used to evaluate liver conditions, and the broad age spectrum of the pediatric population requires caution to be taken even in the selection of probes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another important imaging tool used to evaluate liver disease despite requiring sedation or anesthesia in young children because it allows quantitative analysis with sequences such as fat analysis and MR elastography. In addition to ultrasound and MRI, we review quantitative imaging methods specifically for fatty liver, Wilson disease, biliary atresia, hepatic fibrosis, Fontan-associated liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, and the transplanted liver. Lastly, concerns such as growth and motion that need to be addressed specifically for children are summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haesung Yoon
- From the Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (H.Y.); Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea (H.Y., J.K., H.J.L., M.-J.L.); and Department of Pediatric Radiology, Severance Children's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea (J.K., H.J.L., M.-J.L.)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dammann E, Ording-Müller LS, Franchi-Abella S, Verhagen MV, McGuirk SP, Bokkers RPH, Clapuyt PRM, Deganello A, Tandoi F, de Ville de Goyet J, Hebelka H, de Lange C, Lozach C, Marra P, Mirza D, Kaliciński P, Patsch JM, Perucca G, Tsiflikas I, Renz DM, Schweiger B, Spada M, Toso S, Viremouneix L, Woodley H, Fischer L, Brinkert F, Petit P, Herrmann J. European Society of Pediatric Radiology survey of perioperative imaging in pediatric liver transplantation: (3) postoperative imaging. Pediatr Radiol 2024; 54:276-284. [PMID: 38285190 PMCID: PMC10830633 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-023-05842-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation is the state-of-the-art curative treatment for end-stage liver disease. Imaging is a key element in the detection of postoperative complications. So far, limited data is available regarding the best radiologic approach to monitor children after liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE To harmonize the imaging of pediatric liver transplantation, the European Society of Pediatric Radiology Abdominal Taskforce initiated a survey addressing the current status of imaging including the pre-, intra-, and postoperative phases. This paper reports the responses related to postoperative imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS An online survey, initiated in 2021, asked European centers performing pediatric liver transplantation 48 questions about their imaging approach. In total, 26 centers were contacted, and 22 institutions from 11 countries returned the survey. RESULTS All sites commence ultrasound (US) monitoring within 24 h after liver transplantation. Monitoring frequency varies across sites, ranging from every 8 h to 72 h in early, and from daily to sporadic use in late postoperative phases. Predefined US protocols are used by 73% of sites. This commonly includes gray scale, color Doppler, and quantitative flow assessment. Alternative flow imaging techniques, contrast-enhanced US, and elastography are applied at 31.8%, 18.2%, and 63.6% of sites, respectively. Computed tomography is performed at 86.4% of sites when clarification is needed. Magnetic resonance imaging is used for selected cases at 36.4% of sites, mainly for assessment of biliary abnormalities or when blood tests are abnormal. CONCLUSION Diagnostic imaging is extensively used for postoperative surveillance of children after liver transplantation. While US is generally prioritized, substantial differences were noted in US protocol, timing, and monitoring frequency. The study highlights potential areas for future optimization and standardization of imaging, essential for conducting multicenter studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dammann
- Section of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lil-Sofie Ording-Müller
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Rikshospitalet University Hospital: Oslo universitetssykehus Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Martijn V Verhagen
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Centre Groningen: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Simon P McGuirk
- Department of Radiology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Reinoud P H Bokkers
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Centre Groningen: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Francesco Tandoi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Hanna Hebelka
- Department of Radiology, The Institute of Clinical Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Charlotte de Lange
- Department of Radiology, The Institute of Clinical Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Cecile Lozach
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - Paolo Marra
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo: Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Darius Mirza
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Piotr Kaliciński
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Organ Transplantation, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janina M Patsch
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giulia Perucca
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilias Tsiflikas
- Department of Radiology, University Clinic of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Diane M Renz
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Hannover Medical School: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bernd Schweiger
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Clinic of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marco Spada
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Liver and Kidney Transplantation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Seema Toso
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Geneva University Hospitals: Hopitaux Universitaires Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Viremouneix
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant - Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Helen Woodley
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Leeds Children's Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Lutz Fischer
- Department of Visceral Transplant Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Brinkert
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philippe Petit
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Aix Marseille University, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Marseille, France
| | - Jochen Herrmann
- Section of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cetinic I, de Lange C, Boström H, Ekvall N, Bennet W, Lagerstrand K, Hebelka H. Shear wave elastography and shear wave dispersion correlated to biopsy at the scheduled follow-up of pediatric liver grafts. Pediatr Transplant 2023; 27:e14591. [PMID: 37583096 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown how shear wave dispersion (SWD) is displayed in pediatric liver transplant recipients and not fully elucidated how ultrasound shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) display within this cohort, which is important to determine to improve noninvasive surveillance of these patients. The study aimed to compare SWE and SWD values with histopathology in pediatric liver recipients. METHODS Forty-eight pediatric liver recipients were examined with SWE in conjunction with an elective liver biopsy (clinically without complication). Additionally, SWD values were measured in 21 children. SWE and SWD values were compared to histologically determined fibrosis graded as none-to-mild (F0-1) and moderate-to-severe (F2-4), and inflammation graded as low (grade 0-1) and high (grade 2-4). RESULTS Two children were excluded due to SWE IQR/median > 30% kPa. The mean age across 46 included patients was 10.9 years (range 1.4-18). The number of patients and median (range) SWE value (kPa) for each stage of fibrosis were: F0-1 [n = 23; 5.8 (3.2-16.1)], F2 [n = 22; 6.0 (4.5-25.9)], F3 [n = 1; 33.3], and F4 [n = 0]. Significantly higher SWE values and greater variability were registered in F2-4 vs. F0-1 (p = .05). Grade of fibrosis correlated weakly to SWE values (r = .3; p = .05), but not to SWD values (r = .2; p = .27). In patients with low-grade inflammation, median SWD was 13.7 m/s KHz (10.7-17.6). Only one patient had high-grade inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Uncomplicated transplanted liver grafts in a small pediatric cohort revealed slightly increased SWE and SWD values compared to previously reported values in healthy children. This likely reflect both the fibrotic and inflammatory elements in the grafts; however, other confounders impacting the liver's viscoelastic properties are also probable factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Cetinic
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Charlotte de Lange
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Håkan Boström
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nils Ekvall
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - William Bennet
- Department of Transplantation Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Lagerstrand
- Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hanna Hebelka
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|