Introduction: Acute rejection is major disorders in the postoperative setting after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). An immediate diagnosis and successful therapy are essential for graft survival. In this study, we want to compare doppler sonography findings and patological findings.
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the datas of patients who underwent OLT between January 2006 and February 2012, for identify patients with acute cellular rejection. We have 2 groups. Group 1(n=58) is acute rejection group and group 2(n=58) is patients without graft rejection. Analyzed parameters included resistive index (R/I), peak arterial systolic velocity (PASV) in the hepatic artery, laboratory values, histopathologic grade and therapy as well as graft and patient survival. All patients were treated with the same immunsupration protocol after LT. No protocol liver biopsy specimens were obtained, and biopsies were performed only for investigation of biochemical abnormalities (elevated serum transaminase or bilirubin levels).
Results: In group 1, 31 patients were pediatric and 27 patients were adult. The median age of the patients was 14,5 (range;1-64). In group 2, 34 patients were pediatric and 24 patients were adult. The median age of the patients was 16 (range; 1-64). In group 1, the mean R/I was 0,65±0,09 and the mean PASV was 85,6±32,8. In group 2; mean R/I was 0,66±0,07 and the mean PASV was 81,2±26,7. There is no significant difference in R/I and PASV between the two groups (p=0,716 and p= 0,423 respectively).There was no vascular problems after transplantation.
Conclusions: Even if doppler sonography revealed normal finding in patients have elevated serum transaminase and bilirubin levels; acute rejection can be still found. To elimate acute rejection liver biopsy is mandatory.