Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the complications after liver transplantation

Objective To study the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the complications after liver transplantation.Methods Twenty-six liver transplantation patients with abnormal or suspicious routine sonographic findings were underwent examination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound,with a bolus injection of SonoVue at dose of(2.4) ml.The study was performed by using Philips IU22 system with MI between(0.06) to(0.08).Results There were several positive findings,such as transplantation-liver hepatocelullar carcinoma 6 cases,transplantation-liver portal vein cancer emboli 2 cases,thrombosis 4 cases,transplantation-liver cirrhosis 3 cases,transplantation-liver hepatic artery deformity 2 cases,transplantation-liver fatty degeneration and necrosis 1 cases,transplantation-liver hematoma 1 cases,transplantation-liver normal 7 cases.Twenty-one contrast-enhanced results were confirmed by pathology,five were showing no difference with CT,MRI or DSA.Conclusions Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can contribute to diagnosing hepatic vessel complications after liver transplantation,especially distinguishing portal vein cancer emboli from thrombosis.It is also useful for differential diagnosis of liver solid lesion,such as hepatocellular carcinoma,local fatty liver and hematoma.