Multimodality postoperative imaging of liver transplantation

Eur Radiol. 2008 May;18(5):882-91. doi: 10.1007/s00330-007-0840-6. Epub 2008 Jan 4.

Abstract

Liver transplantation is the only effective and definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease. The shortage of cadaveric livers has lead to the increasing use of split-liver transplantation and living-donor liver transplantation, but the expansion of the donor pool has increased the risk for postoperative vascular and biliary complications. Early recognition of the imaging appearances of the various postoperative complications of liver transplantation is crucial for both graft and patient survival. This review describes the imaging findings of normal and abnormal transplanted liver parenchyma and of vascular and biliary post-transplantation complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Living Donors
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*
  • Postoperative Period
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler