Radiographic Manifestations of Reperfusion Edema after Transplantation

Purpose: To elucidate the sequential radiologic manifestations of reperfusion edema after lung transplantation. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised five consecutive lung transplant recipients (M:F=3:2; mean age; 47.5 years) who between July 1996 and April 2002 underwent lung transplantation procedures (four, unilateral; one, bilateral) at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed the serial postoperative radiographs obtained and characterized the lung infiltrates. Results: Lung infiltrates compatible with reperfusion edema were present in all patients (5/5). Reperfusion edema appeared on day 1 in four, and by day 2 in the other. In all transplanted lungs, infiltrates were found in the perihilar and basilar regions, and were scored as maximal on day 1 in one, day 3 in two, day 4 in one and day 5 in the other. Conclusion: The recognition of sequential radiological manifestations helps identify recognition of reperfusion edema after lung transplantation.