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Contrast-enhanced ultrasound applications in liver transplant imaging

  • Special Section: Liver transplantation
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Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is gaining ever-increasing acceptance in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of liver-transplanted patients. While indications are still a matter of research, CEUS is used in tertiary centers to supplement ultrasound (US) and Color Doppler US examination, with the potential of providing a comprehensive first-line ultrasound-based diagnosis. Alternatively, CEUS is used as a problem-solving tool when previous cross-sectional or US imaging was inconclusive, especially in assessing hepatocellular carcinoma, parenchymal perfusion abnormalities, the vascular status, and even the biliary tree. This review describes the potential use for CEUS in the setting of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, University Hospital S, Maria della Misericordia, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia, 15, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Giuseppe Como, Luca Montaldo, Chiara Zuiani & Rossano Girometti

  2. Kidney-Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, University Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia, 15, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Umberto Baccarani & Dario Lorenzin

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  1. Giuseppe Como
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  6. Rossano Girometti
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Correspondence to Rossano Girometti.

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Como, G., Montaldo, L., Baccarani, U. et al. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound applications in liver transplant imaging. Abdom Radiol 46, 84–95 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02402-z

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