Hepatic Artery Delineation on Ultrasound Volumes Comparing B-Flow and Color Doppler for Postoperative Monitoring of Pediatric Liver Transplants
Elena Dammann,
Leonhard Steinmeister,
Michael Groth,
Uta Herden,
Lutz Fischer,
Florian Brinkert,
Jan Beime,
Magdalini Tozakidou,
Peter Bannas,
Jochen Herrmann
Affiliations
Elena Dammann
Section of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Leonhard Steinmeister
Department of Radiology, Alta Klinik Bielefeld, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany
Department of Visceral Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Lutz Fischer
Department of Visceral Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Florian Brinkert
Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Jan Beime
Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Magdalini Tozakidou
Section of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Peter Bannas
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Jochen Herrmann
Section of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
(1) Background: Accurate hepatic artery (HA) depiction following pediatric liver transplantation (LT) is essential for graft surveillance but challenging on ultrasound (US). This study assesses if improved HA delineation can be achieved by recording two-dimensional US volumes in Color Doppler (CD) and B-flow technique. (2) Methods: Of 42 consecutive LT, 37 cases were included, and HA delineation was retrospectively rated using a four-point score (0 = HA not detectable, 3 = HA fully detectable, separable from portal vein) within 48 h post-LT (U1) and before discharge (U2). (3) Results: Adding B-flow compared with CD alone showed superior results at neohilar (U1: 2.2 ± 1.0 vs. 1.1 ± 0.8, p p p p < 0.0001). (4) Conclusions: Standardized US volume recordings combining B-flow and CD can effectively delineate the HA along its vascular course in pediatric LT. The technique should be further evaluated as a standard monitoring instrument to rule out vascular complications after LT.
