Preliminary study on contrast-enhanced ultrasound micro-perfusion examination for right lobe living-donor liver transplantation / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To probe into the value of micro-perfusion examination at the early stage after right lobe living donor liver transplantation by contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS). Methods Twenty-six recipients of right lobe living donor liver transplantation received CEUS examination at 1,7,15 and 30 days respectively after operation using contrast medium SonoVue. Perfusion patterns were observed and analyzed considering operation method. Results Of 26 recipients, 15 cases showed normal perfusion patterns with normal hemodynamics; 11 cases showed abnormal perfusion patterns with abnormal hemodynamics:8 had conduit venous obstruction,4 high portal vein blood flow. The abnormal patterns was in the early arterial phase of enhancement process at the first day examination, showing hyper- and hypo- enhancement area compared with normal liver parenchyma. And the difference gradually disappeared in the subsequent examination. Conclusions Abnormal micro-perfusion patterns are highly related to abnormal inflow and outflow in the early post operation stage. The main reasons are conduit venous obstruction and excessive perfusion of portal vein. CEUS can be used as an effective method in evaluating the graft micro-perfusion.