Early postoperative imaging and image-guided procedures on patients with face transplants

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 568 - 574
• Main Authors: Lee, T C, Chansakul, T, Huang, R Y, Wrubel, G L, Mukundan, S, Annino, D J, Pribaz, J J, Pomahac, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society of Neuroradiology 01-03-2015
• Subjects: Adult; Edema - therapy; Facial Injuries - surgery; Facial Transplantation - adverse effects; Female; Head & Neck; Humans; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging; Postoperative Complications - therapy; Postoperative Period; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A4141

Face transplantation is being performed with increasing frequency. Facial edema, fluid collections, and lymphadenopathy are common postoperative findings and may be due to various etiologies, some of which are particular to face transplantation. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how postoperative imaging and image-guided minimally invasive procedures can assist in diagnosing and treating complications arising from face transplantation. Retrospective evaluation of 6 consecutive cases of face transplantation performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital between April 2009 and March 2014 was performed with assessment of postoperative imaging and image-guided procedures, including aspiration of postoperative fluid collection, lymph node biopsy, and treatment of salivary gland leak. Through these cases, we demonstrate that early postoperative imaging and image-guided procedures are key components for the management of complications following face transplantation.