Complications of Lung Transplantation: Update on Imaging Manifestations and Management

• Published in: Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging 2021-08, Vol.3 (4), p.e190252-e190252
• Main Authors: DeFreitas, Mariana R., McAdams, Holman Page, Azfar Ali, Hakim, Iranmanesh, Arya M., Chalian, Hamid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Review
• ISSN: 2638-6135; 2638-6135
• DOI: 10.1148/ryct.2021190252

As lung transplantation has become the most effective definitive treatment option for end-stage chronic respiratory diseases, yearly rates of this surgery have been steadily increasing. Despite improvement in surgical techniques and medical management of transplant recipients, complications from lung transplantation are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Some of these complications can be classified on the basis of the time they typically occur after lung transplantation, while others may occur at any time. Imaging studies, in conjunction with clinical and laboratory evaluation, are key components in diagnosing and monitoring these conditions. Therefore, radiologists play a critical role in recognizing and communicating findings suggestive of lung transplantation complications. A description of imaging features of the most common lung transplantation complications, including surgical, medical, immunologic, and infectious complications, as well as an update on their management, will be reviewed here. Keywords: Pulmonary, Thorax, Surgery, Transplantation Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2021