Common ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after liver transplantation

The diagnostic value of common ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) after liver transplantation was investigated. From January 2005 to November 2015, information was collected on 2,085 cases of orthotopic liver transplantation. The cases included 1,617 men and 468 women. Common ultrasound and CEUS were used to monitor arterial blood flow following surgery, and the complications were assessed. Instruments used included Acuson Sequoia 512 and Mylab Twice, and the contrast agent was SonoVue. The standard of common ultrasound in the diagnosis of HAP was follicular structure, which had arterial blood flow signal present beside the hepatic artery. The diagnostic criteria of HAP using CEUS were abnormal and round contrast enhancement zone and perfusion of the contrast agent in the zone near the hepatic artery. The diagnostic standard of HAP was computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and emergency operation. Eight cases of HAP were diagnosed in 2,085 patients after liver transplantation (0.38%). Three cases of HAP were diagnosed successfully by common ultrasound while 5 cases were missed. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for common ultrasound was 37.5, 100 and 99.76%, respectively. Six cases of HAP were diagnosed by CEUS and 2 cases were missed. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for CEUS was 75, 100 and 99.9%, respectively. Collectively, CEUS is a convenient and effective diagnostic method for HAP following liver transplantation, the diagnostic sensitivity was obviously higher than that of the common ultrasound, and it was more convenient than CTA. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm with deep location, and unsatisfactory grayscale images were easily missed.