Imaging of lung transplant complications

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2014 Apr;95(4):399-409. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2013.09.005. Epub 2014 Feb 10.

Abstract

Since the late 1980s, lung transplantation has emerged as a valid treatment option for some patients with advanced non-neoplastic lung disease. Long-term survival of lung transplant recipients, however, is lower than that of patients with other types of transplantation, because of numerous specific postoperative complications. Thanks to X-ray and CT, radiologists can guide clinicians, helped in this diagnostic approach by the time between the date of injury and date of transplantation. We will detail in this pictorial review the immediate and late surgical complications, the immunological complications, the infectious complications and other late complications.

Keywords: Chest radiography; Immunosuppression; Lung transplant; Postoperative complications; Thoracic computed tomography.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / diagnostic imaging
  • Graft Rejection / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Infections / etiology
  • Lung Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult