Application of MR Imaging with LAVA and Cholangiopancreatography Technology in the Diagnosis of Complications Following Liver Transplantation

Objective To evaluate the value of propeller LAVA and cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of liver grafts,complications of vascular or biliary and hemodynamics changes after orthotopic liver transplantation.Materials and Methods After orthotopic liver transplantation,11 adult patients underwent convertional MRI examinations(including Fiesta,Dual-Echo,FSPGR,FS FSE RT and DWI),MR cholangiopancreatography and triphasic contrast-enhanced propeller LAVA.The original images were reconstructed with MPR and MIP.Results MRI revealed:(1) liver grafts.Hepatic including hyperperfusion in arterial phase(n=5),lymphatic circulation stasis(n=3),localized liver necrosis(n=1),focal infla mmatory foci(n=1),hepatic subcapsule hematoma(n=1) and biloma(n=1);(2) complications of vessles including anastomotic stenosis of hepatic artery(n=7),elongation and kinking of hepatic artery(n=2),arterial anastomoses stenosis of aorto-heptic interposition grafts(n=1) and portal vein anastomotic stenosis(n=1);(3)Portal and systemic hemodynamic changes including splenomegaly(n=5),hepatic and spleen perihepatic effusion(n=3),splenic infarction(n=1),splenic and gastro-esophageal varices(n=4),splenorenal shunts(n=1),gastrorenal shunts(n=1);(4) biliary complications including biliary nonanastomotic stenosis(n=4),biliary anastomotic stenosis(n=7),and with cholangitis(n=6),long and cystoid cystic duct stump(n=3),sludge or stone in the bile duct(n=1).Conclusion Combined with conventional MRI,propeller LAVA and MRCP provided a noninvasive methods for guiding the diagnosis and play an important role in formulating treatment plan after orthotopic liver transplantation.