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. MATERIALS AND 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. CONCLUSION: 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.