Multidetector row CT of various hepatic artery complications after living donor liver transplantation

Abdom Imaging. 2007 Sep-Oct;32(5):635-43. doi: 10.1007/s00261-006-9145-5.

Abstract

Although it is uncommon, hepatic artery (HA) complications including pseudoaneurysm, dissection, and flow steal phenomenon as well as stenosis and thrombosis may occur after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A timely diagnosis is of utmost importance for graft and patient survival, because it may result in serious complications, such as life-threatening hemorrhage, severe graft dysfunction or even failure, bile duct necrosis or stricture. Multidetector row CT (MDCT), with superb spatial- and time-resolution, may facilitate the diagnosis of HA complications in LDLT recipients. However, little attention has been paid to MDCT findings of various HA complications following LDLT. For an early recognition and accurate diagnosis of HA complications, radiologists should be familiar with their MDCT findings. In this essay, we present a comprehensive review of various HA complications after LDLT and illustrate their MDCT findings.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnosis
  • Constriction, Pathologic
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Graft Survival
  • Hepatic Artery / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Living Donors
  • Male
  • Thrombosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods*