Sonographic evaluation of spleen size, portal vein diameter, and laboratory test values after orthotropic liver transplantation
Mohammad-Hassan Arjmand1, Rozita Khodashahi1, Faezeh Movahedifar1, Fahimeh Hosseinzadeh1, Mohsen Aliakbarian1, Kambiz Akhavan Rezayat1.
1Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Background: Splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia are common pathological problems in patients with chronic liver failure. This study aimed to follow several parameters such as spleen size, portal vein diameter, and several laboratory tests in patients after orthotropic liver transplantation.
Material and Method: Three hundred twenty-five patients who underwent liver transplants participated in this prospective study between 2013 until 2021. Laboratory data including complete blood count, and sonographic data including spleen size and portal vein diameter were prospectively collected from patients’ records. Patients were divided into 8 groups according to the etiology of liver disease. Data was obtained at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after the transplantation.
Result: Our study showed spleen size before and after transplantation was significantly different in etiologic groups. Also in all groups except Wilson’s group, spleen size reduced significantly after liver transplantation. In our follow-ups spleen size and portal vein diameter reduced during the time but it’s not significant.
Leucocytes (WBC), hemoglobin, and platelets increased in patients after liver transplantation. The average means of WBC and platelet were significant differences between etiologic groups. Also, the average means of WBC and platelet alteration during the time were significant. However, the mean of hemoglobin and INR were not a significant difference between etiologic groups, and their changes during the time were not significant.
The difference in spleen size after transplantation was significant in comparison between patients with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia after one year and patients with normalized WBC and platelets before one year.
Conclusion: The size of the spleen after transplantation can affect the time to normalization of WBC and platelet count to improve thrombocytopenia. Our result showed that LT is an effective treatment for splenomegaly and hypersplenism related to liver failure and cirrhosis.
We would like to thank the Transplant Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, for providing support in this manuscript.
[1] orthotropic liver transplantation
[2] splenomegaly
[3] liver failure
[4] thrombocytopenia