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Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound for identifying circulatory complications after liver transplants in children
Author(s) -
Torres Alvaro,
Koskinen Seppo K.,
Gjertsen Henrik,
Fischler Björn
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
pediatric transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.457
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1399-3046
pISSN - 1397-3142
DOI - 10.1111/petr.13327
Subject(s) - medicine , circulatory system , contrast enhanced ultrasound , liver transplantation , liver disease , ultrasound , transplantation , radiology , circulatory failure , circulatory collapse , surgery , cardiology
Our main goal with this study was to share our off‐label experience with CEUS for identifying circulatory complications after liver transplantation in children. A total of 74 CEUS examinations performed on 34 pediatric patients who underwent a liver transplant were retrospectively included. About 53% of the examinations were performed on children 2 years old or younger. About 82% of the examinations were performed within 30 days from the transplant. About 62% of patients were transplanted due to a cholestatic disease, 11% due to a metabolic disease, 8% were re‐transplanted due to graft failure, and 19% was due to other conditions. BA was the most common reason for transplantation and represented 38% of patients. About 38% of the transplantations were performed with whole grafts from DD, 40% with split liver grafts, and 22% with left lateral segments from LD. For diagnosing arterial circulatory complications, the PPV was 80%. For diagnosing portal vein circulatory complications, the PPV was 66.7%. NPV was 100%. In 28% of the examinations, the examiner could not visualize the normal arterial blood flow without CEUS. CEUS is a non‐invasive and safe imaging technique that seems valuable in these patients and further efforts are needed to license its use in the post‐transplant setting.