Application value of quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluating donor liver from donation after brain death

  Objective  To evaluate the application value of quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating the donor liver from donation after brain death (DBD).

  Methods  Clinical data of 25 DBD donor livers and 10 healthy adult livers were retrospectively analyzed. CEUS examinations of DBD donor livers and healthy livers were collected. Quantitative parameters included the area under curve (AUC), maximum intensity (I_max), time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (mTT), etc.

  Results  Among 25 cases of DBD donor livers, 23 cases showed normal enhancement pattern, and the other 2 cases presented with abnormal enhancement pattern. Compared with the control group, the AUC, I_max and mTT values of DBD donor livers were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05).

  Conclusions  CEUS quantitative parameters can be effective means to evaluate the micro-perfusion of DBD donor livers.