Imaging in lung transplants: Checklist for the radiologist

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Thoracic Surgery
• Immunology

Background:

• Lung transplant complications present diverse clinical and imaging features, making timely diagnosis challenging.
• Complications arise throughout the postoperative period, encompassing surgical issues, rejection, infection, and post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder.
• Chronic rejection and infection significantly impact long-term survival after lung transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of timing in differentiating post-lung transplant complications.
• To emphasize the diagnostic utility of multiple detector computed tomography (MDCT) in managing these complications.
• To underscore the importance of early diagnosis for effective therapy and improved patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical and imaging data from lung transplant recipients.
• Analysis of the temporal occurrence of various post-transplant complications.
• Correlation of imaging findings with specific complication types using MDCT.

Main Results:

• Complications manifest across a spectrum, from immediate surgical issues to chronic rejection and infections.
• MDCT is essential for identifying and characterizing complications, aiding in treatment selection.
• Accurate diagnosis through MDCT can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Conclusions:

• The timing of complication onset is a key factor in diagnosis and management following lung transplantation.
• MDCT is an indispensable tool for the early and accurate evaluation of lung transplant complications.
• Timely intervention based on MDCT findings is vital for enhancing patient survival and quality of life.