The imaging diagnosis of complications after liver transplantation

Objective: To comprehensively analyze the imaging manifestations of normal transplanted livers and the transplantation-related complications. Methods: With Philips Secura spiral CT scanner, 50 patients who underment liver transplantation received CT exam. The scanning range was from the diaphragmatic fornix to the inferior border of L3. For enhanced CT scanning, dosage of 1.3 mL/kg contrast agent was used with injection rate of 2.5 mL/s and delayed time of 30s, 60s, 120s, respectively. With Philips Gyroscan NT Release 7 MR, MRI scan was performed in the patients who developed biliary complications after extraction of "T" tube. With GE Advance Lp/Lc DSA, angiography of hepatic artery was performed through femoral artery. Results: 27 patients showed perihepatic effusion, right pleural effusion. The other findings included accompanying shadow of portal vein (n=4), anastomotic stenosis of hepatic artery (n = 2), thrombus of hepatic artery (n = 1), portal vein anastomotic stenosis (n = 2), biliary anastomotic stenosis (n = 1), bile duct stenosis (n = 3), bile fistula (n = 4), and tumor recurrence (n = 4). Conclusion: Multi-slice spiral CT and MRCP can clearly show the vascular and biliary complications and other complications such as tumor recurrence in patients having received liver transplantation.