Pediatric Thoracic Organ Transplantation: Current Indications, Techniques, and Imaging Findings

Abstract

In the past decade, with improved surgical technique and knowledge of immunosuppression, pediatric lung and heart transplantation have been established as viable therapeutic interventions for pediatric patients with end-stage cardiopulmonary disease from various underlying congenital and acquired disorders. Although outcomes for pediatric patients are similar to those for adult patients, thoracic organ transplantation in this special age group carries unique challenges for preoperative and postoperative imaging evaluation. The article provides an up-to-date review of the postoperative transplant anatomy, imaging techniques, and complications of pediatric lung and heart transplantation.

Keywords: Acute rejection; Chronic rejection; Heart transplantation; Infection; Pediatric lung transplantation; Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).