Delayed diagnosis of celiac stenosis causing hepatic transplant ischaemic necrosis: diagnosis by spectral Doppler findings

Abstract

Following presentation with abnormal liver function enzymes, confusion and fatigue, a 65-year-old male with alcoholic cirrhosis underwent spectral Doppler sonography that showed tardus parvus-like morphology in the main and left hepatic arteries, although peak systolic velocities and resistive indices remained normal. The patient’s continuing clinical symptoms prompted CT angiography, which demonstrated an unexpected, haemodynamically significant stenosis of the celiac artery. Although the stenosis was successfully stented and the hepatic arterial waveforms normalized, the transplanted liver had already undergone ischaemic necrosis, with resulting failure and the need for retransplantation. Recognition of abnormal waveforms, despite normal peak systolic velocities and resistive indices, with prompt definitive imaging evaluation of the arterial tree beyond just the main hepatic artery, may lead to the diagnosis of unexpected flow-limiting lesions in time to allow revascularization and thus prevent ischaemic transplant failure.