Use of perfusional angiosonography in liver transplantation and conservative management of post-transplant intra-hepatic pseudo-aneurysm

Transpl Int. 2004 Nov;17(10):634-8. doi: 10.1007/s00147-004-0731-6. Epub 2004 Nov 5.

Abstract

Hepatic artery pseudo-aneurysm is a rare but severe complication of liver transplantation, which generally requires immediate surgical or angiographic treatment. The diagnosis is usually made by splanchnic percutaneous angiography. We report a case of an intra-hepatic pseudo-aneurysm after surgical correction of a thrombosed hepatic artery and its successful response to conservative management. Duplex Doppler ultrasound, associated with a new B-mode contrast-based sonographic technique, called "perfusional angiosonography", was used to diagnose the intra-hepatic pseudo-aneurysm. The combination of the two ultrasound techniques was useful in following the course of the pseudo-aneurysm, without further need for angiography. Eventually, this pseudo-aneurysm underwent spontaneous obliteration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False / therapy*
  • Angiography
  • Contrast Media
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatic Artery* / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Ultrasonography / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler

Substances

  • Contrast Media