[The clinical application of 320-slice Computed Tomography (CT) hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical significance of 320-slice CT hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation.


METHODS
A total of 58 patients underwent CT scanning by 320-slice scanner after liver transplantation. They were divided into 2 groups according to the concentration of contrast media as follows: Group A (27 cases, 350 mgI/ml iopromide), Group B (31 cases, 370 mgI/ml iopromide). Contrast medium was infused at 6 ml/s, with a total dose of 50 ml. Images were generated by dynamic volume scanning and were processed by 4D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging software. The time-density curve (TDC) of the hepatic artery was delineated. The time to peak, peak contrast enhancement were recorded. The physiological parameters such as body weight and height were analyzed.


RESULTS
(1) There were no differences in clinical parameters such as age, sex, height, weight, or BMI between groups. The time to peak of hepatic artery of group A and B was (19.71+/-3.11) s and (20.06+/-3.67) s, and had no significant difference. The maximum peak enhancement of hepatic artery in groups B was higher than that group A (P < 0.05). (2) 4D DSA revealed hepatic artery pseudo-aneurysm (n = 2), and hepatic artery mild stenosis (n = 13), moderate stenosis (n = 5), severe stenosis (n = 9) and occlusion (n = 1), segmental moderate and severe stenosis (n = 4), and compensatory circulation with hepatic artery severe stenosis and occlusion (n = 6). hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas (HPAVF, n = 12), donor-recipient hepatic artery mismatch (n = 3). Hepatic arterial branch are decreased and opened in 15 cases and 8 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
320-slice CT hepatic artery images is safe, noninvasive, and accurate technique to evaluate hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation.
Wang
Jin
J
Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Luo
Lin
L
Zhang
Jian-sheng
JS
Xie
Si-dong
SD
Liu
Ling-yun
LY
Jiang
Zai-bo
ZB
Zhang
Ya-qin
YQ
Hu
Bing
B
Shan
Hong
H
Yang
Yang
Y
Chen
Gui-hua
GH
Kuang
Si-chi
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult