[Radiological diagnosis in lung transplant patients]

Based on the imaging studies obtained from 13 patients after lung transplantation, radiological findings have been correlated with the clinical charts. The intention was to describe the radiological manifestations of the particular transplant complications of these patients. 12 episodes of reimplantation response were seen in the early postoperative period as a perihilar accented perivasal consolidation with typically short-termed appearances. 16 episodes of acute rejection showed various manifestations on the radiographs. They were characterised by immediate response to a bolus therapy with corticosteroids. This decisive observation allows the exclusion of other causes contributing to a condition following thoracotomy with similar radiological manifestations. Stenoses of the pulmonary or the bronchial anastomoses occurred once each and were confirmed in the course of further examinations. Chest radiograph proved to be the appropriate tool for the diagnosis of technical complications following iatrogenic measures (pleural effusion, pneumothorax). Clinical symptoms and follow-up observations are necessary for the interpretation of the radiographs. Chest radiography represents an important help concerning problems in differential diagnosis and further therapeutic decisions.