Objective  To investigate the application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation.

  Methods  Ten recipients undergoing split liver transplantation received conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and CEUS. Clinical prognosis of 10 recipients undergoing split liver transplantation was summarized. The findings of postoperative conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography, CDU and CEUS were analyzed.

  Results  Among 10 recipients, 8 cases obtained favorable clinical prognosis, one died from the recurrence and metastasis of malignant tumors and multiple organ failure, and one died from sudden cardiac arrest. CDU detected the hepatic artery in 8 of 10 recipients(80%). CEUS revealed hepatic artery embolism in one recipient and normal hepatic artery in the other case. Conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography demonstrated abnormality of the hepatic parenchyma in 5 recipients including hyperecho in S5 segment in 1 case, hypoecho in S7 segment in 1 case, hyperecho in S4 segment in 1 case, hypoecho followed by hyperecho in S5 and S6 segments in 1 case and multiple hypoecho and slight hyperecho in 1 case. CEUS revealed significant asynchrony in the microcirculation blood perfusion between the normal and abnormal echo regions, manifested with imaging features of early perfusion and early regression, which was considered to be associated with hepatic venous back-flow obstruction. Evident asynchrony in microcirculation blood perfusion between the normal and abnormal echo regions was observed in 1 case, manifested with the imaging features of early perfusion and synchronous regression, suggesting that congestion and edema on the hepatic resection surface caused by hepatic venous back-flow obstruction and myocardial infarction. Multiple intrahepatic abnormal blood perfusion region of 'fast-in and fast-out' echo was noted in 1 case, which was probably correlated with postoperative recurrence of malignant tumors.

  Conclusions  CEUS isan effective supplement of conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography and CDU for postoperative monitoring after split liver transplantation, which contributes to understanding of hepatic blood flow and blood perfusion and identifying early postoperative complications after split liver transplantation.