RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of early diagnosis by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in the treatment of biliary ischemia after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 9 recipients presenting with biliary ischemia detected by CEUS within 4 weeks after liver transplantation and diagnosed with non-anastomotic biliary stricture (NAS) within postoperative 1 year were retrospectively analyzed. In the conventional treatment group, 4 recipients were treated with conventional treatment including liver protection, cholagogic therapy and interventional therapy. In MSC treatment group, 5 recipients received intravenous infusion of MSC at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after biliary ischemia detected by CEUS on the basis of conventional therapy. The interventional treatment and clinical prognosis within 1 year after liver transplantation were analyzed between two groups. Results Two recipients in the MSC treatment group required interventional therapy, which was initially given at 7-9 months after liver transplantation for 1-2 times. All recipients in the conventional treatment group required interventional therapy, which was initially delivered at postoperative 1-3 months for 2-6 times, earlier than that in the MSC treatment group. Within 1 year following liver transplantation, diffuse bile duct injury occurred in 2 recipients in MSC treatment group, and no graft dysfunction was observed. In the conventional treatment group, all recipients developed diffuse bile duct injury, and 2 recipients presented with graft dysfunction. Conclusions Early diagnosis of biliary ischemia after liver transplantation by CEUS combined with MSC therapy may delay and reduce the requirement of interventional therapy for NAS, and also improve clinical prognosis of the recipients.
