Application of MR imaging in the diagnosis of complications following liver transplantation

Objective To study the value of MR imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of complications following liver transplantation.Methods The MRI appearances were analyzed retrospectively in 11 patients with complications after liver transplantation.Results Eleven cases had symptoms of skin and sclera jaundice, fever and yellow urine. Alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, GGT and bilirubin were increased after liver transplantation. In the patients whose causes of complications were not identified by ultrasonography, MRI,MRA and MRCP showed hepatic arterial anastomotic stenosis (n=1), hepatic arterial occlusion (n=2), inferior vena cava anastomotic stenosis (n=1), thrombosis (n=1), bile duct anastomotic stenosis (n=4), bile duct non-anastomotic stricture at the hepatic porta (n=6), hepatic necrosis (n=2), hepatic subcapsule hematoma (n=1) and right-sided adrenal hemorrhage (n=1). Various amounts of right-sided pleural effusion, ascites and periportal edema were seen in all patients.Conclusion MRI can demonstrate intrahepatic and extrahepatic constructions, and can provide imaging information of liver vessel bile duct and extrahepatic constructions for diagnosis of complications after liver transplantation.