Diagnostic role of colour Doppler US at 1-year follow-up after orthotopic liver transplantation Ruolo diagnostico dell'US color Doppler nel I anno di follow-up post- trapianto epatico (OLT)

Purpose. This paper discusses the role of colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) in the midterm follow-up of patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Materials and methods. We retrospectively studied 134 values and diagnostic accuracy were, respectively: 79.2%, 97.3%, 86.3%, 95.5%, 94% (B), 100%, 99.2%, 88.9%, 100%, 99.3% (V) and 100%, 96.9%, 42.8%, 100%, 97% (FL). CDUS also showed 16 blood collections and eight suspected biliary collections (four of which were confirmed by percutaneous puncture). Conclusions. CDUS is an essential diagnostic tool in the follow-up of OLT. An early diagnosis of complications can improve graft integrity and patient survival.