Transplantation and the pediatric chest.

The plain chest radiograph is the mainstay in the imaging assessment of the chest in a prospective organ recipient and is invaluable in the initial evaluation of posttransplant complications. Although the presence of focal or diffuse air-space disease on a chest radiograph is often nonspecific, this finding helps direct the choice of other diagnostic methods. Among cross-sectional imaging techniques, computed tomography is used most often to further define anatomy and abnormal findings and to guide needle biopsy or aspiration if necessary. A variety of posttransplant complications are discussed, including common postoperative findings, pulmonary infection, and organ rejection.