Liver Doppler Findings in Pediatric Patients After Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation

Abstract

© 2018 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. OBJECTIVES: This study was intended to establish normal values for velocities in the hepatic artery and portal veins in pediatric patients after total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT).METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of liver Doppler studies in pediatric patients after TPIAT over 6 years at an academic children's hospital. Doppler velocities in the liver vasculature and the hepatic artery resistive index were recorded.RESULTS: Sixty-five pediatric patients were evaluated. There were no cases of portal vein thrombosis or other hepatic vascular complications. The mean hepatic artery peak systolic velocity was 157.6 cm/s (SE, 60.9 cm/s), with a mean resistive index of 0.57 (SE, 0.09). The mean main portal vein velocity was 31.9 cm/s (SE, 12.9 cm/s).CONCLUSIONS: Portal vein thrombosis is rare in pediatric patients after TPIAT. A wide range of hepatic artery and portal vein velocities are encountered in children immediately after TPIAT without hepatic vascular complications and can be considered normal.