Imaging in Lung Transplantation: Surgical Techniques and Complications

Abstract

Lung transplant is an established treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. As a result, there is increased demand for transplants. Despite improvements in pretransplant evaluation, surgical techniques, and postsurgical care, the average posttransplant life expectancy is only around 6.5 years. Early recognition of complications on imaging and treatment can improve survival. Knowledge of surgical techniques and imaging findings of surgical and nonsurgical complications is essential. This review covers surgical techniques and imaging appearance of postsurgical and nonsurgical complications, including allograft dysfunction, infections, neoplasms, and recurrence of primary lung disease.

Keywords: Acute lung rejection; Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome; Chronic allograft dysfunction; Lung transplant; Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease; Restrictive allograft syndrome.