ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HEPATOTOXICITY INDUCED BY IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS FOR RENAL ALLOGRAFT / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the ultrasonographic features of immunosuppressants induced hepatotoxicosis after renal allograft. Methods The pre operative and postoperative ultrasonographic features of liver and gallbladder (GB) of 29 renal transplantation patients with clinical hepatotoxicity, after the use of CsA as the main immunosuppressive agent, were evaluated. Results Out of the 29 patients, 23 exhibited enhanced liver echo and 6 patients had features of fatty liver. The thickness of gallbladder wall was around 0.3cm in 21 patients. The morbidity rate of hepatotoxicity was 69% (20/29) in three months. Conclusion The main ultrasonographic features of immunosuppresive agent induced hepatotoxicity were enhanced liver echo, thickened gallbladder wall and unclear echo from GB. These findings provided important subsidiary diagnostic signs for hepatotoxicosis, especially three months after renal allograft. At this time, not only the allograft renal should be examined, but also the liver and gallbladder should be scrutinized with ultrasound. The ultrasonographic changes together with the clinical laboratory data could serve as a guidance for the administration of immunosuppressive drugs.