| ObjectiveLiver transplantation is an accepted form of treatment for end-stage liver disease and has a proven long-term outcome. Detection of hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation is crucial. Doppler ultrasound can easily and repeatedly be used to evaluate blood flow noninvasively and is regarded as the primary screening technique for the detection of hepatic artery complications following liver transplantation. The advent of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) has improved the potential for the detection of vascular abnormalities. In this study , we investigated the value of CEUS in detecting hepatic artery complications in patients after liver transplantation. Methods15 patients suspected with hepatic artery complications by color Doppler ultrasound underwent CEUS with SonoVue to observe hepatic artery and perfusion of liver parenchyma. Following CEUS, patients underwent CTA / MRA or follow-up CDUS.Results1 patient with hepatic artery thrombosis ( HAT), 3 with hepatic artery stenosis ( HAS)and 1 HAS combined with Hepatic artery aneurysm (HAA) were confirmed by CT angiography(CTA) or MR angiography(MRA) . After SonoVue enhanced real time ultrasonography , angiographyw as avoided in 4 patients out of 5 patients whose hepatic arteries were not shown on CDFI. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed no hepatic artery perfusion in 1 patient who was confirmed thrombosis of hepatic artery by CTA. 2 HAS and 1 HAS combined with HAA were correctly identified by CEUS.ConclusionsHepatic artery visualization was improved significantly by low mechanical index real time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography . Therefore, additional invasive angiography might be omitted in the assessment of suspected hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation. CEUS can not only confirm HAT , but also display the stenosis position and degree. It can improve the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation.
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