Liver transplant biopsies with a biopsy gun
Article Abstract:
Liver transplant recipients may experience problems, such as organ rejection, infection, blood clots in the blood vessels supplying the organ, and numerous others. Diagnosis of the underlying cause is essential for treatment and saving the transplanted organ. Noninvasive imaging techniques are useful, but often cannot diagnose the problem. Biopsies of tissue from the transplant are usually required, which can often cause severe side effects in the patient. A biopsy gun has been developed for obtaining biopsies with fewer adverse side effects. This devise has been successfully used to biopsy other organs. Biopsies using this technique were performed a total of 252 times on 58 liver transplant patients. Sufficient samples were obtained in 248 of the attempts (98.4 percent). Major complications occurred during two (0.8 percent) of the biopsies; both occurred in the same patient. Neither episode required surgery. Minor complications occurred with 16 (6.3 percent) of the biopsies. These results indicate that this technique is both safe and effective for obtaining liver biopsies from transplant patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Radiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0033-8419
Year: 1991
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Hepatic artery anastomotic stenosis after transplantation: treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
Article Abstract:
Following liver transplantation it was necessary to perform percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to open the artery supplying the liver with blood. PTA is a surgical technique used to open (dilate) a narrowed blood vessel. The connection (anastomosis) between the transplanted liver and the main artery supplying blood to the liver (the hepatic artery) has been reported as the site blood clotting and vessel narrowing in cases of liver transplant failure. To avoid this potential complication, PTA was performed on two patients experiencing significant stricture (stenosis) of the anastomosis. Ultrasound (US) was the imaging technique used to identify the site of the anastomotic stricture and was followed by surgical angioplasty (opening of a blood vessel). Although the treatment was successful, it involves the risk of arterial rupture and clotting (thrombosis) following PTA. Therefore, careful patient selection is urged.
Publication Name: Radiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0033-8419
Year: 1989
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