Objective: To evaluate the value of three dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (3D-CEUS) in evaluating hepatic vascular patency after liver transplantation.
Methods: Twenty patients suspected of hepatic vascular complications after liver transplantation were examined by two dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (2D-CEUS) and 3D-CEUS. Contrast agent was SonoVue and low mechanical index harmonic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed. According to the visualization of the peripheral branches of the hepatic artery, the 3D images were evaluated as score 1 to 4 (score 1, only common hepatic artery; score 2, left or right hepatic artery; score 3, segmental branches of hepatic artery; score 4, subsegmental branches of hepatic artery). The visualization of hepatic artery branches was compared between 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS.
Results: The 3D hepatic artery tree structures were visualized in 17 cases with patent hepatic arteries by 3D-CEUS. The score of peripheral branches of hepatic artery was (2.61±0.50) by 3D-CEUS, superior to the (3.61±0.50) by 2D-CEUS(P=0.000). 1 hepatic artery stenosis, 1 portal vein stenosis and 1 inferior vein stenosis were all clearly revealed by 3D-CEUS after liver transplantation.
Conclusions: 3D-CEUS is a useful technique to visualize the hepatic artery tree and can provide more diagnostic information than 2D-CEUS. 3D-CEUS is a beneficial complement of 2D-CEUS in the diagnosis of hepatic vascular complications after liver transplantation.