Multi-detector computed tomography angiography of the hepatic artery in liver transplant recipients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of multi-detector row computed tomography angiography (CTA) in detecting hepatic artery complications in the follow-up of liver transplant patients, performing volume-rendering as reconstruction technique.


METHODS
The anatomy of hepatic artery was studied in 27 liver transplant recipients with a four-row CT scanner using the following parameters: collimation, 1 mm; slice width, 1 mm; table feed, 6-8 mm/s; spiral reconstruction time, 0.5 s; reconstruction interval, 0.5 mm; mAs, 160; kVp, 120. Before the study, the patients received 1000 ml of water as oral contrast agent to produce negative contrast in the stomach and the small bowel. A non-ionic contrast medium was infused intravenously at a rate of 5 ml/s with a bolus tracking system. Volume-rendering of hepatic artery was performed with the 3D Virtuoso software.


RESULTS
The celiac trunk, the hepatic artery, and the right and left hepatic arteries were successfully displayed in high detail in all patients. Side branches, including small collaterals, and hepatic artery anastomosis could also be readily visualized. Volume-rendered CTA detected six hepatic artery stenoses, two hepatic artery thromboses, and two intrahepatic pseudoaneurysms. In two cases, CT detected hepatic artery stenosis with a diameter reduction of less than 50%, while digital subtraction angiography showed a normal artery.


CONCLUSIONS
Volume-rendered multi-detector CTA is a promising non-invasive technique, since it allows images of high quality to be generated with excellent anatomical visualization of the hepatic artery and its complications in liver transplant recipients.
Boraschi
P
P
2nd Department of Radiology, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy. p.boraschi@do.med.unipi.it
Donati
F
F
Cossu
M C
MC
Gigoni
R
R
Vignali
C
C
Filipponi
F
F
Bartolozzi
C
C
Falaschi
F
F
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media