Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the splenic artery steal syndrome of liver transplantation

Abstract

Objective To investigate the utilization of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the detection of splenic artery steal syndrome (SASS) after orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were performed at various time points post-operatively.CEUS and celiac angiography were conducted in patients suspected of SASS.Results 9 patients were suspected of SASS by slim or undetectable hepatic arterial Doppler blood signals by CDFI at various time points postoperatively.CEUS in 9 patients showed a delayed and weak contrast-enhanced blood signal in the hepatic artery associated with a rapid and intense enhancement of portal venous blood.No narrowing of a hyperintense signal was observed in the hepatic artery by CEUS.The 9 diagnoses of SASS were proven by celiac angiography.Conclusions SASS is identified as a sluggish and weak hyperintense blood signal in the hepatic artery without the narrowing and interruption of hypeintense signal in CEUS.CEUS is an effective imaging modality for detection of SASS following OLT. Key words: Ultrasonography; Microbubbles; Liver transplantation; Splenic artery steal syndrome