Actualización de trasplante hepático. Complicaciones vasculares y biliares / Updates on liver transplantation: vascular and biliary complications

En este artículo se explican, con un enfoque práctico, los hallazgos radiológicos de las complicaciones vasculares y biliares en el postrasplante de hígado completo en el paciente adulto, diferenciándolos de los hallazgos radiológicos normales tras el trasplante. Se incide en el manejo radiológico del paciente trasplantado y se explica el tratamiento intervencionista de las distintas complicaciones. Todo ello está basado en la experiencia de las autoras y en una revisión actualizada de la literatura indexada

This article uses a practical approach to explain the imaging findings for vascular and biliary complications after total liver transplantation in adults, comparing them to the normal imaging findings after transplantation. It emphasizes the radiologic management of patients who have undergone transplantations and explains the treatment of the different complications by interventional radiology. The information provided comes from the authors' experience and a thorough, up-to-date review of the indexed literature

Updates on liver transplantation: vascular and biliary complications. / Actualización de trasplante hepático. Complicaciones vasculares y biliares.

This article uses a practical approach to explain the imaging findings for vascular and biliary complications after total liver transplantation in adults, comparing them to the normal imaging findings after transplantation. It emphasizes the radiologic management of patients who have undergone transplantations and explains the treatment of the different complications by interventional radiology. The information provided comes from the authors' experience and a thorough, up-to-date review of the indexed literature.

Elastografía tipo ARFI: modificación tras tratamiento antiviral en el trasplante hepático con recidiva por VHC / ARFI elastography: changes after direct-acting antiviral treatment in transplanted livers with relapse of hepatitis C virus infection

Objetivo. Evaluar la modificación de los valores en la elastografía hepática tipo ARFI tras el tratamiento antiviral en pacientes con trasplante hepático e infección por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) con recidiva durante el postrasplante. Material y métodos. Se han estudiado 15 pacientes receptores de trasplante hepático con infección por el VHC y recidiva sobre el injerto durante el primer año tras el trasplante que fueron tratados con antivirales de acción directa. A todos ellos se les realizó ecografía basal, Doppler y elastografía hepática tipo ARFI en los 3 meses anteriores al inicio del tratamiento y durante los 3 meses posteriores a su finalización. En la misma semana de la elastografía se realizó analítica con perfil hepático y determinación de la carga viral (ARN-VHC) en sangre periférica mediante técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Se ha estudiado el cambio en las velocidades de cizallamiento de la elastografía antes y después del tratamiento. El análisis estadístico se ha efectuado mediante el test de Wilcoxon para datos apareados. Resultados. Todos los pacientes alcanzaron una respuesta viral mantenida a los 3 meses de finalizar el tratamiento. Se han encontrado diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las velocidades de la elastografía, con disminución de estas tras finalizar el tratamiento (la mediana de los valores de la onda de cizallamiento previos al tratamiento fue de 1,97m/s, y tras finalizarlo fue de 1,58m/s; p=0,001). Conclusión. La velocidad de la onda de cizallamiento disminuye de manera significativa tras el tratamiento antiviral en los pacientes receptores de trasplante hepático con recidiva de la infección por VHC (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the changes in the values obtained in acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography of the liver after antiviral treatment in patients with liver transplants and hepatitis C virus (HVC) infection recurring after transplantation. Material and methods. We studied 15 patients infected with HVC who had received liver transplants where an HVC infection recurring in the graft within one year after the transplant was treated with direct-acting antivirals. All patients underwent ultrasonography including Doppler and ARFI elastography in the three months before starting treatment with direct-acting antivirals (baseline study) and again in the three months after finishing the treatment. In the same week when the elastography study was done, liver function tests were done and the viral load (HCV RNA) was determined in peripheral blood with the polymerase chain reaction method. We used the Wilcoxon test for paired samples to compare the changes in the shear wave velocities before and after treatment. Results. All patients achieved a virologic response that was sustained at 3 months after the end of treatment. On elastography, median shear wave velocities decreased after treatment (1.97m/s before treatment vs. 1.58m/s after treatment; p=0.001). Conclusion. The shear wave velocity decreased significantly after antiviral treatment in patients who had relapsed HVC infection after liver transplantation (AU)

ARFI elastography: changes after direct-acting antiviral treatment in transplanted livers with relapse of hepatitis C virus infection. / Elastografía tipo ARFI: modificación tras tratamiento antiviral en el trasplante hepático con recidiva por VHC.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in the values obtained in acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography of the liver after antiviral treatment in patients with liver transplants and hepatitis C virus (HVC) infection recurring after transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 15 patients infected with HVC who had received liver transplants where an HVC infection recurring in the graft within one year after the transplant was treated with direct-acting antivirals. All patients underwent ultrasonography including Doppler and ARFI elastography in the three months before starting treatment with direct-acting antivirals (baseline study) and again in the three months after finishing the treatment. In the same week when the elastography study was done, liver function tests were done and the viral load (HCV RNA) was determined in peripheral blood with the polymerase chain reaction method. We used the Wilcoxon test for paired samples to compare the changes in the shear wave velocities before and after treatment. RESULTS: All patients achieved a virologic response that was sustained at 3 months after the end of treatment. On elastography, median shear wave velocities decreased after treatment (1.97m/s before treatment vs. 1.58m/s after treatment; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The shear wave velocity decreased significantly after antiviral treatment in patients who had relapsed HVC infection after liver transplantation.

Utilidad de la ecografía con contraste en la práctica clínica diaria. Estudio multicéntrico español CEUS / Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in daily clinical practice: A multicenter study in Spain

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio multicéntrico ha sido evaluar si la ecografía con contraste permite aumentar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal. Material y métodos: En este estudio prospectivo multicéntrico realizado en 42 hospitales se incluyeron 1.786 pacientes con estudios ecográficos considerados como no concluyentes. El 84,9% fueron ecografías abdominales (incluyendo estudios hepáticos, renales, esplénicos y de otras localizaciones), el 6,2% fueron estudios vasculares periféricos, el 4,3% fueron estudios mamarios y el 4,6% fueron estudios de otras localizaciones. Se evaluó el tipo de ecografía con contraste (Doppler color o método específico de contraste), el tipo de contraste, la dosis y el número de dosis y el tipo de administración (en forma de bolo o infusión). Sobre los hallazgos obtenidos en la ecografía con contraste se valoró si conseguía aumentar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal y si permitía un diagnóstico concluyente. Resultados: El 99,9% de los estudios se realizó con SonoVue, con una dosis de contraste (84,8%) y en forma de bolo (98,5%). En el 91,6% de los casos la ecografía con contraste aumentó el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal, y en el 69,2% permitió un diagnóstico de certeza. El mayor rendimiento diagnóstico se obtuvo en los estudios de troncos supraaórticos con un diagnóstico definitivo en el 95,4% de los casos, seguido por el área abdominal con resultado concluyente en el 72,6% de los casos. Conclusiones: El uso de la ecografía con contraste aumentó significativamente el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal, y se obtuvo un resultado concluyente en la mayoría de los casos (AU)

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether the use of ultrasonographic contrast agents improves the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US).Material and methods: We carried out a prospective multicenter study in 42 hospitals. We included 1786 patients with inconclusive US; 84.9% of the inconclusive studies were abdominal US (including studies of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and other sites), 6.2% were studies of the peripheral vessels, 4.3% were breast studies, and 4.6% were other studies. We evaluated the type of contrast-enhanced US (color Doppler or contrast-specific method), type of contrast agent, dose and number of doses, and type of administration (bolus or infusion). We evaluated whether the findings at contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance of unenhanced US and whether they enabled a conclusive diagnosis to be reached. Results: The contrast agent SonoVue was used in 99.9% of the studies; a single dose of contrast agent was used in 84.8%, and the contrast agent was administered in bolus in 98.5%. Contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance in 91.6% of cases and enabled the conclusive diagnosis in 69.2%. The best diagnostic performance was obtained in the supraaortic trunks, where a definitive diagnosis was reached in 95.4% of cases, followed by the abdominal area, with a conclusive diagnosis in 72.6% of cases. Conclusions: The use of contrast-enhanced US significantly improved the diagnostic performance of US and enabled a conclusive diagnosis in most cases (AU)

[Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in daily clinical practice: a multicenter study in Spain]. / Utilidad de la ecografía con contraste en la práctica clínica diaria. Estudio multicéntrico español CEUS.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether the use of ultrasonographic contrast agents improves the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective multicenter study in 42 hospitals. We included 1786 patients with inconclusive US; 84.9% of the inconclusive studies were abdominal US (including studies of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and other sites), 6.2% were studies of the peripheral vessels, 4.3% were breast studies, and 4.6% were other studies. We evaluated the type of contrast-enhanced US (color Doppler or contrast-specific method), type of contrast agent, dose and number of doses, and type of administration (bolus or infusion). We evaluated whether the findings at contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance of unenhanced US and whether they enabled a conclusive diagnosis to be reached. RESULTS: The contrast agent SonoVue was used in 99.9% of the studies; a single dose of contrast agent was used in 84.8%, and the contrast agent was administered in bolus in 98.5%. Contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance in 91.6% of cases and enabled the conclusive diagnosis in 69.2%. The best diagnostic performance was obtained in the supraaortic trunks, where a definitive diagnosis was reached in 95.4% of cases, followed by the abdominal area, with a conclusive diagnosis in 72.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The use of contrast-enhanced US significantly improved the diagnostic performance of US and enabled a conclusive diagnosis in most cases.

Diagnóstico y diagnóstico diferencial de abscesos hepáticos mediante ecografía con contraste (SonoVue) / Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of liver abscesses using contrast-enhanced (SonoVue) ultrasonography

Objetivos: Describir los hallazgos ecográficos de los abscesos hepáticos tras la administración de contraste de segunda generación. Realizar el diagnóstico diferencial con otras lesiones focales hepáticas. Material y métodos: Se valoraron 28 abscesos hepáticos en 15 pacientes mediante ecografía basal y tras la administración de SonoVue. Se valoraron las lesiones hepáticas de 6 pacientes en las que se planteó el diagnóstico diferencial con absceso en la ecografía basal. Resultados: En 21 abscesos (75%) se vio un patrón de realce típico (realce anular periférico arterial y ausencia de realce central). En otros 6 (21,4%), el realce arterial se vio en gran parte de la lesión, con zonas de ausencia de captación. Otro caso (3,6%) mostró un patrón de realce multiseptado. En 6 de los abscesos se apreció un realce segmentario hepático. En cuanto a las lesiones con las que se planteó el diagnóstico diferencial, 5 de las 6 no presentaron realce en ninguna de las fases. La otra lesión, una metástasis quística, presentó un realce periférico arterial irregular. Ninguna de estas lesiones presentó un realce arterial segmentario hepático. Conclusiones: La ecografía con contraste mejora el rendimiento de la ecografía en el diagnóstico de los abscesos hepáticos, observándose 3 patrones de realce, superponibles a los hallazgos de la tomografía computarizada y resonancia magnética. Es muy útil para definir la arquitectura interna del absceso, lo cual es importante en la elección del tipo de tratamiento. Permite hacer el diagnóstico diferencial con otras lesiones focales hepáticas (AU)

Objectives: To describe the ultrasonographic findings in liver abscesses after the administration of a second generation agent. To perform the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses with other focal liver lesions. Material and methods: We evaluated 28 liver abscesses in 5 patients before and after the administration of SonoVue. We also evaluated liver lesions in six patients in whom the differential diagnosis with liver abscess was considered in the baseline ultrasonographic examination. Results: A typical enhancement pattern consisting of peripheral ring enhancement in the arterial phase and absence of central enhancement was observed in 21 (75%) abscesses. In another 6 (21.4%) abscesses, arterial enhancement was seen in large areas of the lesion, while other areas showed no uptake. One case (3.6%) had a multiseptated pattern of enhancement. Segmental hepatic enhancement was observed in 6 abscesses. In the liver lesions in which the differential diagnosis with abscess was carried out, 5 of the 6 showed no enhancement in any phase. The other lesion, a cystic metastasis, had irregular peripheral enhancement in the arterial phase. None of these lesions had segmental hepatic enhancement in the arterial phase. Conclusions: Contrast administration improves the performance of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of liver abscesses. There are three patterns of enhancement and these correlate well with the findings at CT and MRI. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is very useful for defining the internal architecture of the abscess, which is important for choosing the type of treatment. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography also enables the differential diagnosis with other focal liver lesions (AU)

[Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of liver abscesses using contrast-enhanced (SonoVue) ultrasonography]. / Diagnóstico y diagnóstico diferencial de abscesos hepáticos mediante ecografía con contraste (SonoVue).

OBJECTIVES: To describe the ultrasonographic findings in liver abscesses after the administration of a second generation agent. To perform the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses with other focal liver lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 28 liver abscesses in 5 patients before and after the administration of SonoVue. We also evaluated liver lesions in six patients in whom the differential diagnosis with liver abscess was considered in the baseline ultrasonographic examination. RESULTS: A typical enhancement pattern consisting of peripheral ring enhancement in the arterial phase and absence of central enhancement was observed in 21 (75%) abscesses. In another 6 (21.4%) abscesses, arterial enhancement was seen in large areas of the lesion, while other areas showed no uptake. One case (3.6%) had a multiseptated pattern of enhancement. Segmental hepatic enhancement was observed in 6 abscesses. In the liver lesions in which the differential diagnosis with abscess was carried out, 5 of the 6 showed no enhancement in any phase. The other lesion, a cystic metastasis, had irregular peripheral enhancement in the arterial phase. None of these lesions had segmental hepatic enhancement in the arterial phase. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast administration improves the performance of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of liver abscesses. There are three patterns of enhancement and these correlate well with the findings at CT and MRI. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is very useful for defining the internal architecture of the abscess, which is important for choosing the type of treatment. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography also enables the differential diagnosis with other focal liver lesions.