Research Article, J Liver Dis Transplant Vol: 3 Issue: 1
Cumulative Radiation Exposure in Liver Transplant Candidates and Patients Transplanted with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Sammy Saab1,2, Vignan Manne2, Vincent Bui2 and Vinay Sundaram3 | |
1Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, USA | |
2Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, USA | |
3Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA | |
Corresponding author : Sammy Saab, MD, MPH, AGAF Pfleger Liver Institute, Department of Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, 200 Medical Plaza, Suite 214, Los Angeles, CA 90095 Tel: 310-206-6705; Fax: 310-206-4197 (F) E-mail: SSaab@mednet.ucla.edu |
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Received: March 29, 2014 Accepted: June 16, 2014 Published: June 22, 2014 | |
Citation: Saab S, Manne V, Bui V, Sundaram V (2014) Cumulative Radiation Exposure in Liver Transplant Candidates and Patients Transplanted with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Liver: Dis Transplant 3:1. doi:10.4172/2325-9612.1000117 |
Abstract
Cumulative Radiation Exposure in Liver Transplant Candidates and Patients Transplanted with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Liver transplant candidates and recipients undergo regular imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening and surveillance. Excessive radiation exposure is associated with risks of malignancy and infection. Longitudinal studies on the amount and impact of radiation exposure in patients with liver disease are lackiing.Using baseline values, the mean radiation exposure for non-transplant patients being screened for HCC using ultrasounds every 6 months, alternating between ultrasound and CT every 6 months, or CT every 6 months was 10, 27 and 35 mSv, respectively. For transplant candidates undergoing surveillance for recurrent HCC, the mean radiation exposure was 36 mSv and 15 mSv from abdominal and chest CT scans, respectively. In recipients transplanted for HCC, the mean cumulative radiation exposure 5 years after liver transplantation was 144 mSv. Conclusion: Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the safety and long term impact of radiation exposure. Patients transplanted with HCC represent a particularly high risk group for potential complications.