Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography of vascular complications after liver transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to evaluate three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography as a tool for examination of liver transplant patients with potential vascular complications.


METHODS
Thirty-eight consecutive three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiograms were obtained in 34 patients. Results were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with conventional angiography in 20 of the 38 cases and sonography in 37 of the 38 cases. MR angiograms were evaluated for technical adequacy, vascular patency, and parenchymal abnormalities, and results were compared with angiography and sonography. Conventional angiography and surgery were used as gold standards when available.


RESULTS
Thirty-four (90%) of 38 MR angiograms were technically adequate. Vascular abnormalities were identified in 20 patients, and 19 of these patients subsequently underwent angiography, surgery, or both. There were seven cases of hepatic artery thrombosis; all were detected with MR angiography with no false-positive or false-negative interpretations. Seven patients had moderate to severe hepatic artery stenosis (>50% narrowing as determined by conventional angiography). MR angiography revealed this stenosis in six of the seven patients, with one false-negative and three false-positive interpretations. Portal vein thrombosis was detected in three patients, and portal vein stenosis was detected in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography is useful in the examination of liver transplant patients and offers a noninvasive adjunct in patients with difficult or indeterminate sonographic examinations.
Glockner
J F
JF
Department of Radiology, St Louis University Hospital, MO 63110-0250, USA.
Forauer
A R
AR
Solomon
H
H
Varma
C R
CR
Perman
W H
WH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media