The value of color Doppler ultrasonography in monitoring normal orthotopic liver transplantation and its complication

To evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in monitoring normal orthotopic liver transplantation and its complication. Methods Forty-one patients after orthotopic liver transplantation were examined by using color Doppler flow imaging to observe hepatic blood flow and change of ultrasonography of hepatic parenchyma and biliary duct. The measured indexes included the maximum blood flow velocity (Vmax), time-average blood flow velocity (TAV), resistance index (RI) and diameter of biliary duct. Results Seventeen patients (41.5 % ) suffered from liver allograft rejection. Decrease of Vmax of portal vein was detected in 13 of 17 patients (76. 4 % ); Low-amplitude of blood flow velocity of hepatic vein was detected in 15 of 17 patients (88.25 %) and they showed negative serrated wave or negative two waves; There was an increased hepatic arterial RI in 9 of 17 patients (52.9 %); Slightly dilated bile duct was found in 5 of 17 patients (29. 4 % ); Five of 41 patients (12.2 % ) with hepatic arterial thrombosis in the postoperative period showed disappearance of blood flow of hepatic artery around portal vein. Slight dilatation of intrahepatic biliary duct in the early period after liver transplantation was found in 3 patients (7.3 % ) and restored with 2 weeks. Twenty patients (48. 8 % ) showed dilatation of intrahepatic biliary duct. The causes of biliary duct dilatation included biliary stricture in 2 cases (20 % ), stone in 15 cases (75 %) and others in 3 cases (15 % ). Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasonography is valuable for monitoring normal liver transplantation and its complication.