Adrenal hemorrhage after orthotopic liver transplantation: MR appearance

Eur Radiol. 2001;11(12):2484-7. doi: 10.1007/s003300100854. Epub 2001 Mar 6.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the MR imaging findings of right adrenal hemorrhage after orthotopic liver transplantation. Twenty-seven orthotopic liver transplantation patients underwent MR studies of the liver and/or biliary system. Patients were referred to MR examination because of suspected biliary complications ( n=22) or for evaluation of mass lesions ( n=5). The standard MR protocol included T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) or gradient-recalled echo (GRE) images and T2-weighted turbo SE (TSE) images with fat suppression. In addition, cholangiography pulse sequences and/or contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained according to specific indications. In 2 patients a right adrenal mass was detected at MR imaging. Three to 4 weeks after transplantation, the lesions were markedly hyperintense on T2-weighted images and showed a hypointense capsule. Follow-up MR examinations revealed a slight decrease in size and a change in morphology. Computed tomography examinations of these 2 patients, obtained 10 weeks after transplantation, showed resolution of the hemorrhage and transformation into a cystic lesion in one case and a complete resolution of the hemorrhage and a normal right adrenal gland in the other case. Adrenal hemorrhage after liver transplantation shows typical MR features and should not be mistaken for an adrenal tumor or a postoperative abscess.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement*
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed