Imaging and the Lung Transplant Patient.

Lung transplantation can prolong and improve quality of life for patients affected by end-stage lung disease. Potential lung transplant patients undergo a rigorous preoperative assessment that includes multiple medical imaging studies. These studies provide information that help physicians determine whether the patient is a surgical candidate, as well as the surgical technique that should be used during transplantation. Imaging studies also are used in long-term care to detect complications in patients after lung transplantation.