Application of two-and three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in evaluating hepatic arteries in the liver transplantation

Objective To assess the difference between two-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography ( 2D-CEUS ) and three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography ( 3D-CEUS ) in evaluating hepatic arteries in the liver transplantation. Methods Both 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS were used to examine 26 liver transplantation donors and recipients. Fifteen patients who were confirmed by CTA or DSA or MRA were analyzed. The image' s quality and diagnostic levels of 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS were compared, and the diagnostic information about anatomic features of hepatic arteries provided by the two methods was evaluated. Results 1) The image' s quality of 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS were 3. 62 ± 0. 41, 2. 52 ± 0. 93, respectively. The difference between them was statistically significant ( P <0. 05). 2)When evaluating anatomic features ,2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS had no significant difference in common hepatic artery (CHA) and proper hepatic artery (PHA). But 3D-CEUS was prior to 2D-CEUS in left hepatic artery (LHA) ,right hepatic artery(RHA) and segmental hepatic artery(SHA) ( P <0. 05). 3)Five hepatic artery complications were discovered by CTA or DSA or MRA in 15 patients. In 4 patients (80%) ,both 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS made the affirmative diagnoses in accordance with the results. However, 2D-CEUS made a false positive diagnosis and 3D-CEUS corrected it. Conclusions The 3D-CEUS could provide more diagnostic information,could confirm or correct some diagnosis of 2D-CEUS,but,its image's quality is not as good as 2D-CEUS. Therefore,combining the 3D-CEUS with 2D-CEUS has practical clinical value in liver transplantation. Key words: Ultrasonography;  Microbubbles; Liver transplantation;  Hepatic artery