Normal Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of a Transplant LiverClinical HistoryA 45-year old with a history of chronic polycystic liver and kidney disease had a recent liver transplant. Doppler ultrasound was requested to assess the blood flow in and out of the transplant liver.Case DescriptionUltrasound was performed using a 3 MHz curvilinear transducer. The examination started on B-mode to visualise the entire hepatic outline and parenchyma. Colour Doppler was used to evaluate patency of the hepatic veins, common hepatic artery, and the main portal veins and its branches. Spectral Doppler was further used to examine the flow pattern and velocity in the hepatic vessels.Diagnosis/ Discussion/ Treatment/ Follow-upThe vessels examined in transplant liver assessment include:The right hepatic vein.The middle hepatic veins.The left hepatic vein.The main portal vein.The right portal vein.Middle portal vein.Left portal vein.The common hepatic artery.The parameters deduced from the haemodynamic spectral Doppler studies include: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), resistivity index (RI), and the wave pattern.SonogramsLongitudinal view of the left hepatic lobe showing the caudate lobe Spectral Doppler of the right hepatic veinTransverse view of the transplant liver showing the hepatic veins in B-modeMiddle hepatic veinLeft hepatic veinMain portal veinHepatic arteryHepatic artery showing the Doppler ultrasound valuesPublished on: November 11, 2024
